Assessment of Peer Pressure and Sexual Adventurism among Adolescents in Ghana: The Moderating Role of Child-Rearing Practices

Sylvia Eyiah-Bediako,Joshua Adebisi Omotosho,John Elvis Hagan,Frank Quansah

doi:10.3390/socsci10110418

Sylvia Eyiah-Bediako, Joshua Adebisi Omotosho + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci10110418

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Abstract

The rationale of this study was to examine the influence of peer pressure on sexual adventurism among adolescents in Ghana, and as well to explore the role of child-rearing practices in this relationship. The study covered adolescents in junior high schools in Ghana within the age range of 12 to 19 years. A sample of 525 adolescents was surveyed to participate in the research using the multistage sampling approach. The main instrument for data collection was a questionnaire. Data gathered were analysed using means and standard deviation, multivariate linear regression, and three-way interaction-moderation analysis. Child-rearing practices and peer pressure significantly and independently predicted sexual adventurism. Parental discipline acted as a significant moderator in the relationship between peer pressure and sexual adventurism. Again, only in the presence of discipline could monitoring and warmth moderate the relationship between peer pressure and sexual adventurism. Based on the findings, parents are encouraged to incorporate reasonable disciplinary measures in shaping their children’s behaviours against sexually deviant activities. Besides, guidance and counselling coordinators should plan and organize programs that centre on reducing the prevalence of peer pressure and sexual adventurism. Conclusions drawn from the study include bringing out a better understanding of the role that discipline and peer pressure play in influencing adolescents’ sexual adventurism.

Highlights

Adolescence, as a transitional period, is characterized by psychological, cognitive, biological, and physical development (Sigelman and Rider 2009)
The results further revealed that monitoring and warmth can only moderate the relationship between peer pressure and sexual adventurism in the presence of discipline
This study highlights the significant role of peer pressure and child-rearing practices in explaining sexual adventurism among adolescents in school

Summary

Introduction

Adolescence, as a transitional period, is characterized by psychological, cognitive, biological, and physical development (Sigelman and Rider 2009). What is most paramount in this stage is sexual development, which is revealed in social relations (Manning et al 2000). These individuals, start to take notice of their feelings (mostly unconscious) and try to adjust to their changing functioning and appearance, physical intimacy, as well as their sexual urges (arousals) and beliefs (Manning et al 2000; Slater and Robinson 2014). The effects of these behaviours and actions are seen through sexual behaviours and experimentation within their social milieu (Slater and Robinson 2014). Paramount of the effect of this experimentation is adolescent pregnancy (Jayakody et al 2011), defined by WHO as pregnancy occurring in a girl aged 10–19 years (World Health Organization 2009)

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Conclusion