Preventing the problem behaviour: the case with Ukrainian vocational high school students

Abstract

The paper`s purpose is to identify the characteristics of deviant behaviour among Ukrainian vocational high school students using criteria based on quantitative data to determine the effectiveness of implementing targeted preventive social-pedagogical and psychological programmes. According to medical-psychological, educational, social (behavioural) and culturologically valuable criteria of predisposition to deviant behaviour, the most typical displays of deviant behaviour were defined: the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco smoking; frequent cutting of classes, poor performance; committing of offences, crimes; low level of general and communication culture, inability to organize productive leisure. The programme of preventive work was compiled based on principles of personification, motivation, informed social choice of action, positive realization of an individual in a group. Its effectiveness was proved by the defined criteria. The number of students in the experimental group with: high level of predisposition to deviant behaviour decreased by 17.6%; average − increased by 8.1%; low − increased by 9.5%. KEYWORDS: Deviant behaviour; prevention; students of vocational high schools; Ukraine