Perceived Parental Behaviour and Religiosity as Predictors of In-school Adolescent Sexual Risk Behaviour in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria
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Date
2025
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PB International
Abstract
Sexual risk behavior is an important contemporary concern, especially for the
self-destruction and societal ills it causes. Research has been ongoing on
adolescent sexual risk behavior in the country and recent studies still report high
rates of pre-marital sexual activities among Nigerian adolescents. Sexual risk
behavior among youth, defined as early sexual initiation, unprotected intercourse,
or sex with multiple partners, is a major area of concern to parents or caregivers
and health professionals given the many associated negative consequences.
There is a dearth of literature on the interaction influence of perceived parental
behavior and religiosity on adolescent sexual risk behavior in the country of
Nigeria. This study, therefore, investigated the prediction of sexually risky
behavior of the youth by their perception of their parental behaviors, and their
religious belief. The roles of a few sociodemographic factors were also examined.
A cross-sectional research design was employed. Using a multistage sampling
technique, 1,589 participants, male (n=753), and female (n=836) aged 13 to 19
years were drawn from 10 private and 19 public secondary schools in three of
the five Local Government Areas (LGA) in Ibadan Metropolis as participants for
the study. Regression analyses revealed significant prediction by parental
psychological control (β=.10, t=3.99, p<.01) while the other parental behavioral
dimensions were not significant. Religiosity also significantly predicted sexual risk
behavior among adolescents (F (1, 1584) =50.25, p<.001) (β=-0.18, t=-7.08,
p<.001) indicating an increase in sexually risky behavior with a decline in
religiosity. Age, Gender and family structure were also independent and
significant predictors (β = 0.12, t=-4.89, p< 01; β= 0.30, t=-12.62, p<.01, β = 0.05,t=2.12, p<,05)
respectively, implying the younger, male adolescents from
polygamous setting are higher on sexual risk behavior. Implication is an overuse
of psychological control. Efforts should be geared towards eliciting healthy
parental behavior through teaching parenting skills and also giving adolescents
cognitive therapy. Religiosity should also be encouraged.
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Akintola, A. A. (2025) Perceived Parental Behaviour and Religiosity as Predictors of In-school Adolescent Sexual Risk Behaviour in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria. BP International. Print ISBN: 978-93-49238-12-1, eBook ISBN: 978-93-49238-20-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msti/v1/3749