Senior Secondary School Adolescents Research Articles

Parenting Styles as Predictors of Adolescents’ Susceptibility to Peer Pressure in Secondary Schools in Anambra State, Nigeria

This study examined the relationship among the four levels of parenting styles and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents in Anambra State, Nigeria. Six research questions and saix hypotheses guided the study. The design of the study was correlational research design. The population comprised 55,696 adolescents in senior secondary schools in Anambra State. A sample size of 1,000 senior secondary school students were selected through proportionate stratified and convenience sampling techniques. The research instrument that was used in the study is a validated and reliable questionnaire. Multiple regression statistics was used to test hypotheses 1-5 while the Fisher-z statistics were used to test hypothesis 6. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between four parenting styles and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents; that there is a significant relationship between authoritative parenting style and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents; that there is a significant relationship between authoritarian parenting style and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents; that there is a significant relationship between permissive parenting style and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents; and that there is a significant relationship between neglecting parenting style and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents. The study however, revealed that there is no significant moderating impact of sex in the relationship between parenting styles and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents in Anambra State. On the basis of these findings, it was recommended amongst others, that Guidance counsellors should provide parenting workshops and resources that educate parents on the different parenting styles and the importance of fostering open communication, clear expectations, and warmth in the parent-child relationship, regardless of the specific style used.

Sexual and reproductive health information needs; an inquiry from the lens of in-school adolescents in Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria

BackgroundIt is important to understand the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of adolescents from the adolescents themselves to address their needs properly. Hence, this paper provides new knowledge on the information needs on SRH among adolescent boys and girls in selected secondary schools in Ebonyi state, southeast Nigeria.MethodA comparative assessment was conducted among adolescent boys and girls in public secondary schools that received a specific school-based SRH intervention (group A) and those that did not receive the intervention (group B). These schools were spread across six urban and rural local government areas in Ebonyi state, southeast Nigeria. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 514 adolescents aged 13 to 18 on their stated needs for SRH information and services. Categorical variables were compared using the Chi-square test, and predictors were determined using logistic regression analysis. The statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05.ResultMajority of the adolescents (82% of intervention group and 92% of non-intervention group) identified puberty and pubertal changes as perceived SRH information need for adolescents (χ2 = 7.94; p-value = 0.01). Adolescents who received SRH intervention have 3.13 (p < 0.001) times the odds of perceiving the need for adolescents to be provided with SRH information than adolescents who did not receive SRH intervention. The odds of perceiving the need for adolescents to be provided with SRH information for adolescents who reside in urban communities are 0.31 (p < 0.001) times the odds for adolescents who resides in rural communities. That is, the perception odds are higher adolescents who reside in rural communities. Multivariate regression of specific SRH information showed the location of residence as a strong predictor of adolescents’ perceived need for information on ‘puberty and pubertal changes’ (OR = 0.30; p = 0.001), ‘safe sex and sexual relations’ (OR = 0.33; p < 0.001) and ‘prevention of pregnancy and use of contraceptives’ (OR = 0.28; p < 0.001). Adolescents in senior secondary school have 2.21 (p = 0.002) times the odds of perceiving the need for adolescents to be provided with specific SRH information than adolescents who are in junior secondary school.ConclusionAdolescents’ age, location of residence, and study group were found to be strong predictors of SRH information needs. This suggests the need for in-school adolescents to be provided with substantial and continuous SRH information for healthy living and making informed SRH choices. In developing SRH interventions that will achieve optimal effectiveness in the lives of adolescents in school, different demographic factors should be considered for context-specific and appropriate strategies.

Alcohol use among in-school adolescents in Sierra Leone

ObjectiveTo examine the prevalence of alcohol use and its associated factors among in-school adolescents in Sierra Leone.DesignData for the study was sourced from the 2017 Sierra Leone Global School-Based Student...

The Burden and Predictors of Early Sexual Initiation among School-Going Adolescents in Rural Settlements in Rivers State, Nigeria

Introduction. Early sexual initiation is the art of initiating sexual activity before age 15. This study aimed to identify the burden and predictors of early sexual initiation among school-­going adolescents in rural settlements in Rivers State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods. A cross-­sectional study was conducted among 420 school-­going senior secondary school adolescents of coeducational schools aged 15–19 from May 2023 to September 2023. A multi-­stage sampling procedure was used to select respondents from four senior secondary coeducational schools. Data were collected using a semi-structured interviewer-­assisted questionnaire. Frequency tables were generated and Logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of early sexual initiation at a 5% level of significance. Results. The mean age of respondents was 15.7 ± 0.8 years. The mean age at early sexual initiation was 12.2 ± 1.2 years. The burden of early sexual initiation and ever-had sex among the respondents was 46% and 54.8% respectively with poor academic performance, school dropout, STI infection, pregnancy, and HIV infection experienced as outcomes of first sexual initiation among the respondents. The statistically significant predictors of early sexual initiation were adolescents having worked for pay, currently working for pay, and adolescents’ age at first sexual partner (OR = 4.6; 95% CI = 1.6–12.7; P = 0.004, OR = 6.6; 95% CI = 1.9–23.7; P = 0.003 and OR = 3.1; 95% CI = 1.3–7.2; P = 0.009). Conclusion. Sexuality education and programmes aimed at encouraging school-­going adolescents to delay first-sex initiation should be encouraged.

Parenting influences and their implications on senior secondary school adolescents' socio-emotional Wellbeing in Port Harcourt City, Rivers State

Parenting influences and their implications on senior secondary school adolescents' socio-emotional Wellbeing in Port Harcourt City, Rivers State

Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors on Entrepreneurial Intentions Among Senior Secondary School Adolescents in Osogbo Local Government, Osun State, Nigeria

This study investigated the influence of environment and role model as social factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions in adolescent students. This study dwelt on the theory of planned behaviour which predicts intentions. The study adopted a survey research design. A simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of two hundred (200) adolescents from four senior secondary schools in Osogbo local government area of Osun State, Nigeria. A self-structured questionnaire titled Dominant Environment, Role Model and Entrepreneurial Intention (DERoMEi) with reliability index of 0.69 was adapted for the study. Data collected were analysed using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistical method. The result confirmed that: entrepreneurial intentions of adolescents is favourably and positively influenced by the adolescents’ dominant environment (f=7.696, p&lt;0.05); role model had no impact on entrepreneurial intention of students (f=2.523, p&gt;0.05); gender sensitivity played a role in the prediction of entrepreneurial intentions of adolescents as males tended to conceive entrepreneurial intention more than females (f=15.596, p&lt;0.05). Recommendations given included that: entrepreneurship engagement should be promoted in communities to encourage wider acceptability by adolescents; parents and care givers who are entrepreneurs should encourage their children to acquire entrepreneurial skills alongside their senior secondary school education; more female adolescents should be encouraged to venture into entrepreneurship despite their educational engagement in senior secondary schools.

Pattern of Smokeless Tobacco Initiation and Use among School Going Adolescents in Delhi, India: A Mixed Method Study.

With growing trends in tobacco consumption, it has been observed that the age of initiation is gradually decreasing. To combat the deep-rooted problem of the Society, we need to target the adolescents at the time of their first consumption of tobacco forms. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the pattern of smokeless tobacco use among school going adolescents in senior secondary schools with the assessment of the sociodemographic factors responsible for initiation of smokeless tobacco use by adolescents. A cross-sectional survey of total sample of 714 students across 9-11 standards in 3 schools of Delhi was done using a self-administered questionnaire after obtaining approval from Institutional Ethics Committee and School Health Scheme, Delhi. Consumption of tobacco was found to be 27.9% at a frequency of 6-9 days in a period of one month and a majority of 31 (39.2%) students initiated the use in the age group of 10-11 years. Among the different SLT products, pan masala combined with zarda with 56 (70.8%) users, was found to be the most commonly consumed SLT product. Grocery shops were preferred POS among the students as (67%) of students obtained the SLT product from this POS. 56 (70.8%) of the students wanted to quit the habit of SLT use whereas 49 (62%) students tried to quit the habit and 43 (54.4%) students sought help in order to quit the habit. Such alarming results in terms of low age of initiation in Delhi is an emerging health problem. Adequate cessation programmes and schemes must be developed and strict implementation of laws and policies to achieve a tobacco free youth is the need of hour.

Preventing Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Adolescents: A Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: Depressive symptoms are prevalent among Chinese adolescents. However, there is a lack of effective prevention programs to reduce depressive symptoms. Methods: A pilot cluster randomized controlled trial was implemented in a sample of senior secondary school adolescents. Participants in the intervention group ( N = 148) received a 6-week universal prevention course, whereas the control group ( N = 131) received a routine course focusing on career development. Results: The linear mixed models showed that the group × time interaction was significant for depressive symptoms measured by DASS-21 ( F(2, 550) = 5.72, p = .003) and marginally significant for that measured by SMFQ ( F(2, 549) = 2.41, p = .09). Likewise, the level of anxiety and stress were significantly reduced after the program, but not maintained in the follow-up. Conclusions: This pilot study showed that a universal prevention program is promising in reducing adolescent depressive symptoms.

Impact of dialectic behaviour therapy and assertiveness training on the mental health of socially stressed senior secondary students

Social stress resulting from substance abuse is a growing global concern. It is linked to mental health with psychosocial challenges faced by a large number of the populace in Nigeria. It is worrisome, especially among students in senior secondary schools in Port-Harcourt Metropolis. Thus, this research examined ‘Dialectic Behaviour Therapy and Assertiveness Training’ in managing psychosocial mental health problems of senior secondary school students who abuse substances in the Port-Harcourt metropolis. Tests before and after the study had a population of 9.650 students and employed quasi-experimental procedures. For the study, a 75-student sample from senior secondary school 2, comprised of 37 males and 38 females, was selected utilizing a multistage selection approach. Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Family/Friends Trouble, Edinburg Mental well-being scale, and Social Phobia Inventory were the instruments utilized to collect the data. Findings revealed significant differences in the psychosocial problems of adolescents in senior secondary schools because of the interventions, however, dialectic behaviour therapy made more impact in the reduction of adolescents’ social stress though both treatments had a significant impact. Keywords: Assertiveness training, dialectic behaviour therapy, mental health, social stress, substance abuse

Correlates of Risky Sexual Behaviours of Adolescents in Rivers State: A Study of Peer Pressure and Social Media Influences

Background: This study investigated the correlates of risky sexual behaviours of adolescents in Rivers State. Six objectives with corresponding research questions and hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Materials and Methods: The study adopted a correlational research design. The population of the study comprised of all 93,076 in- School Senior Secondary School adolescents in Rivers State. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select a sample of 880 from six LGAs in the three senatorial zones of the State. The instrument for data collection was a validated self-structured questionnaire with reliability coefficients of 0.852 for peer pressure and 0.733 for media using Cronbach alpha. Data collected was analyzed using IBM SPSS (version 25), percentages were used to answer research questions, and binary logistic regression was used to test hypotheses at 0.05 alpha levels. Results and Discussions: The result of the study showed 14.6% prevalence of sexual behaviours. Also, the findings revealed that 73.2% did not used condoms at sexual debut, 7.3% had sexual intercourse with more than one person, 2.6% had paid sexual intercourse, 2.2% have had sexual intercourse with sex worker and 11.3% have had oral sex. Conclusions: The result of the study established a significant relationship between peer pressure and sexual behaviours (p &lt; 0.05) and result revealed a significant association between social media influence and sexual behaviours (p &lt;0.05). The study recommended that sexual health education be taught early right from the home by parents/ guardians and in school by teachers and school health officers with emphasis on the identified correlates peer pressure and media influence. Parents should not purchase high tech android phones for their children and should monitor what they do with phones provided.

Career Maturity in Relation to Vocational Aspiration and Self-Concept among Senior Secondary School Adolescents

Students' careers are important in their lives because they will have to make decisions about their careers later in life. This study aims to examine the key predictors of Career Maturity between Vocational Aspiration and Self-Concept among the senior secondary school adolescents. Three measures are employed in the quantitative study design, including a self-concept questionnaire developed and normed by Saraswat (2011), the Occupational Aspiration Scale by J.S. Grewal (2011), and the Career Maturity Inventory by Nirmala Gupta (2013). These scales disseminated to students from the four senior secondary government and private schools of Kannauj district. Using the simple random sampling method, a total of 376 senior secondary school adolescents were involved in the study. The findings show that among senior secondary school students enrolled in both government and private institutions, vocational aspiration became a significant factor in predicting career maturity. Career Maturity was found to have significant correlation with Vocational Aspiration while no relationship was found with self-concept for total sample and sub samples. Female students were found to have better Career Maturity than males while opposite trend was seen for Vocational Aspiration. Although, the self-concept of males and females was observed to be similar. Moreover, Female students have better capability to make or choose proper vocational choices, including awareness required for choosing career according to their skills, interests, values and personality traits. However, male students were having more aspirations for the career or vocation.

Career Maturity in Relation to Vocational Aspiration and Self- Concept among Senior Secondary School Adolescents

Career Maturity in Relation to Vocational Aspiration and Self- Concept among Senior Secondary School Adolescents

Sexual Behaviour and Contraceptive Usage Among In-School Adolescents in Nigeria: Evidence From Isiala Ngwa North, Abia State

The aim of this study was to find out the relationship between sexual behaviour and contraceptive usage among adolescents in senior secondary schools in Abia State, Nigeria. Some 300 students were purposively selected from two secondary schools in Abia state. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection and data analysis was done using descriptive statistics. findings showed that majority of the students (approx. 57%) in the two schools were already involved in sexual activity. Results of the study also indicated that majority of the adolescents have heard about contraceptives predominantly (&gt;70%) from the internet, however, their level of knowledge of contraception is low (&lt;60% of the maximum point on scale of measure) and perception of use of contraceptives poor (≤46% of the maximum point on scale of measure). Further result shows that the use of contraceptives by the adolescents was very low ((≤17% of the maximum point on scale of measure). The most common contraceptive used among the respondents is the condom (31%). The study recommends a more intentional contraception intervention that will affect the knowledge and attitude of the adolescents positively.

A Study of Bullying on Social Media among Senior Secondary School Students With Reference to Gender and Type of School

Bullying on various social media platforms is a new societal issue that has gotten a lot of attention from academics. It has been recognized as a serious health issue among adolescents. Cyber bullying can take many different forms. It doesn't always imply breaking into someone's accounts or pretending to be someone else. It also includes making disparaging remarks about someone or circulating rumors in order to slander them. Because everyone is engrossed in social media, it is quite easy for anyone to abuse their access. The present study is an attempt to analyze various aspects of bullying on social media among senior secondary school students. The study has also taken into consideration the type of school (government and private) and gender variables which was carried out on the sample of 305 senior secondary school adolescents of Aligarh district. The study has revealed mixed results which have been interpreted with some suggestive measures.

Effect of socio-cognitive skills training on aggressive secondary school adolescents in Anambra State Nigeria

Aggressive behaviour is a serious malady to students, especially those in their adolescent stage. This study investigated the effect of Socio-cognitive skills training on aggressive secondary school adolescents in Anambra State, Nigeria. One research question guided the study and two null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. The design for the study is quasi-experimental, non-randomised pre-test and post-test, control group design. The population of the study was 323 senior secondary school adolescents with high aggressive behaviour in Anambra State. A sample size of 32 adolescents were purposively drawn from two schools with the highest number of adolescents with high aggressive behaviour and used for the study. Instrument for data collection was adopted from Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). The internal consistency reliability coefficient for Nigeria sample is 0.80. The completed instruments were scored following the scoring instructions provided in the BPAQ manual. Mean scores were used to answer the research question, while the null hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Co-variance (ANCOVA). The norm of 70.25 provided in BPAQ guided the decision. The finding of the study revealed that socio-cognitive skills’ training was effective in reducing aggressive behaviour of secondary school adolescents. The findings further revealed that the difference in the effect of socio-cognitive skills training on aggressive secondary school adolescents was significant when compared with those in the control group. Based on the findings it was recommended that the practicing counsellors and therapists should adopt the use of the technique in managing aggressive behaviours of secondary school adolescents.&#x0D; Keywords: Aggressive Behaviour, Secondary School Adolescents, Socio-cognitive Skills,Training

Gender Difference in the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) among School Adolescents

The paper examined gender difference in the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) among senior secondary school adolescents using the physical science of physics in three (3) separate papers. The paper attempted to ascertain whether gender difference accounts for the score differential observed in the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT). The study adopted a field experiment and a sample size of 410 respondents consisting of 208 males and 202 females respectively. The correlation matrix of the three (3) papers was performed and the two (2) hypotheses were tested with the quintessential Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that the gap between males and females widened from one paper to the other with males performing better than females in physics. It was therefore recommended that some motivational strategies should be adopted to stir up female adolescents in physics and other physical sciences as a way of enhancing their career prospects in science-related disciplines.

Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, Attitude and use of Voluntary Counselling and Testing among Adolescents in Senior Secondary Schools, Enugu North Local Government Area, Enugu State

Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, Attitude and use of Voluntary Counselling and Testing among Adolescents in Senior Secondary Schools, Enugu North Local Government Area, Enugu State

A True Experimental Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme on Knowledge Regarding III-Effects of Alcohol Consumption among Adolescents in Selected Senior Secondary School at Panipat Haryana

One of the major public health issues worldwide among senior secondary school childrens is alcohol consumption. However, the extent of consumption among senior secondary school students and their understanding of its ill effects on health remain relatively unknown in many cities of Haryana. This study aim to evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding ill effects of alcohol consumption, among adolescents in senior secondary schools at Panipat, Haryana. This study was based on quantative approach, the researcher used true-experimental design. The sampling method adopted was Simple random method and total sample size was 60 (30-experimental group, 30-control group). Data collection method was self reporting questionnaire. The result of the study shows, in experimental group the pre-test mean score was 12.47 and the post-test mean score was 22.90, the standard deviation score in pre test and post test of experimental group was 2.34 and 2.28 respectively, the paired ‘t’ test value was 16.855 at which was higher than Table Value (2.05). Hence, null hypothesis was rejected and concluded in experimental group. There was significant increase in knowledge after STP on ill effects of alcohol consumption. The study result suggested that educating adolescents on ill effects of alcohol consumption will be effective in increasing their knowledge on the same.

Awareness, Gender Variations, Consequences of Sexual Risk Behavior and Adopted Solutions among Senior Secondary Schools Adolescents in Owerri, Nigeria.

In our area, there is dearth of accurate sex education that could equip adolescents in making informed decisions on sexual issues. This scenario has been linked to a high prevalence of sexual risk behaviors, consequences and poor choices with regard to solutions. Objective: To determine the awareness, gender variations, consequences of sexual risk behavior, and adopted solutions among senior secondary school adolescents in Owerri, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a cross sectional survey of 384 in-school adolescents in Owerri, Nigeria, selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using pretested self-administered semi- structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.22 (p&lt;0.05). Results: The majority of adolescents, i.e. 306 (82.5%), were aware of sexual risk behaviors, 340 (91.6%) had received some sex education, and 296 (79.8%) were aware of contraceptives. Key sources of information on sexuality were schools and parents. In total, 54 (14.1%) participants were sexually active, 12 (22.2%) reported ever having an STI, and 9 (75%) had been treated in hospital. Also, 8 (14.8%) of the 54 had dealt with a pregnancy; 7 (87.5%) had undergone an abortion, 3 (42.9%) in a hospital. Sexual risk behaviors among males were associated with age (p=0.002), school type (p=0.002), and alcohol intake (p=0.000), while the residence of the parents had a stronger influence among females (p=0.014). Conclusions: This study found high awareness of sexual issues, mainly sourced from schools and parents. Associations were made between sexual risk behaviors and gender differences (age, school type, and alcohol intake in males, parental residence among females). The consequences of sexual risk behaviors were early pregnancy and STIs, with poor solutions adopted.

Entertainment Media Outlets as Predictors of Sexualization among Female Senior Secondary School Students in Rivers State, Nigeria

Adolescents’ use of media has been on the increase and most homes have televisions. The increased sexualization of women and girls in the media outlets in the 21st century has become a source of concern to counsellors and academics in Nigerian Secondary Schools. The study investigated the predictive power of entertainment media outlets on sexualization of female senior secondary school students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, of Rivers State, Nigeria. The population comprised all female senior secondary class 3 students in the area of the study. Three research questions and three corresponding hypotheses tested at 0.05 alpha levels guided the study. A sample of 312 female adolescents in senior secondary school 3 from 10 public schools was purposively and randomly drawn. The instrument used for data collection was a self-structured three sub-sections questionnaire titled: Media Outlets and Sexualization Questionnaire (MOSQ). The instrument yielded the reliability coefficient of 0.82, 0.87, and 0.88 for the three subsections respectively using Cronbach-Alpha Method. The instrument was administered and data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Multiple regression coefficients were used to answer research question one, while research questions two and three were answered using beta value associated with multiple regression. For the three hypotheses, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used for hypothesis one while hypotheses two and three were tested using t-values associated with multiple regression at 0.05 level of significance. The result revealed that entertainment outlets significantly have a joint prediction on sexualization ofl female senior secondary school students. It is recommended that media industries should be checked and guided by government to know the type of programmes they showcase for the adolescents. Counsellors and parents should pay close attention to sexualization risk of female studentss.