RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PEER INFLUENCE AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR OF IN-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA

Eberechukwu Francisca Chigbu,Anulika Valentina Etele,Uju Christiana Nwanna,Ngozika Lovina Nwobi

doi:10.46827/ejsss.v6i4.1083

Eberechukwu Francisca Chigbu, Anulika Valentina Etele + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejsss.v6i4.1083

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Abstract

This study examined the relationship between peer influence and sexual behaviour of in-school adolescents in South East Zone of Nigeria. The population of this study comprised 137, 095 in-school adolescents in senior secondary II in public secondary schools. The sample of the study was 1200 senior secondary II in-school adolescents. Three research questions and one hypothesis were formulated for the study and the study adopted correlation survey design. Two instruments, namely: Peer Influence Questionnaire (PIQ) with reliability coefficient of 0.76 and Sexual Behaviour Questionnaire (SBQ) with reliability coefficient of 0.78 were developed by the researcher and used for data collection in the study. The research questions in the study were answered using mean, standard deviation, simple regression analysis while t-test was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The result obtained indicated what constitutes peer influence for in-school adolescents as making friends on Facebook and doing homework with friends of opposite sex, among others; In-school adolescents’ sexual behaviour in South East Nigeria are attraction to their opposite sex and enjoying sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol, among others. There exists a direct positive relationship between peer influence and sexual behaviour of adolescents, and a weak contribution of peer influence on sexual behaviour of in-school adolescents. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended among others, that more counsellors should be employed, retained and empowered to help in-school adolescents regulate their engagement with peers and sexual behaviour.  Article visualizations:<img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0798/a.php" alt="Hit counter" />

Highlights

Peer influence and peer pressure are factors that may exert far reaching influence on human behaviour
Gebhard went further to stress on two major determinants of human sexual behaviours; the inherited sexual response patterns that have evolved as a means of ensuring reproduction and that are a part of each individual’s genetic inheritance, and the degree of restraint or other types of influence exerted on the individual by society in the expression of his sexuality
7.3 Relationship between Peer Influence and Sexual Behaviour of Adolescents In line with the research question six, the findings indicated the existence of a direct positive relationship between peer influence and sexual behaviour of adolescents, and a weak contribution of peer influence on sexual behaviour of in-school adolescents

Summary

Introduction

Peer influence and peer pressure are factors that may exert far reaching influence on human behaviour. Peer influence is investigated in relation to its likely influence on in-school adolescents’ sexual behaviour. Sexual behaviour practiced by in-school adolescents is a norm contrary to societal ethics and values. Sexual behaviour as defined by Omeje, Ekwueme and Omeje, (2013) is all sexual actions and responses related to pleasure feeling. Gebhard went further to stress on two major determinants of human sexual behaviours; the inherited sexual response patterns that have evolved as a means of ensuring reproduction and that are a part of each individual’s genetic inheritance, and the degree of restraint or other types of influence exerted on the individual by society in the expression of his sexuality

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