Influence of Peer Pressure, Loneliness and Self-esteem on Pre-marital Sexual Activities among Undergraduates in Redeemer's University, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pre-marital sexual activities have been identified as pressing social and public issues among university students, with severe implications for contracting sexually transmitted diseases. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of psychological factors (loneliness, peer pressure and self-esteem) on pre-marital sexual activities among Redeemer's University undergraduates. Using a cross-sectional design, three hundred and eighty undergraduates - 194 males and 186 females between the ages of 16 and 25 years (M=18.99, SD=1.61) were purposively selected for the study. A self-reported questionnaire consisting of demographic data form, University of California Loneliness Scale (UCALS), Yielding to Peer Pressure Scale (YPPS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and the Sexual Abstinence Behaviour Scale (SABS) was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, and an independent sample t-test were utilized for the inferential data. The findings revealed a percentage variance of 5% for psychological components (loneliness, peer pressure and self-esteem) and 14% for sociodemographic variables on pre-marital sexual activities. Self-esteem [β = -.13, t = -2.57, p <.05], loneliness [β = .14, t = 2.79, p <.05], and peer pressure [β = .12, t = 2.33, p <.05] were significant predictors of pre-marital sexual activity. Significant gender differences were observed in pre-marital sexual activities among the participants (t (380) = -7.23, p <.01), surprisingly with females having higher tendencies to engage in pre-marital sexual activity compared to their male counterparts. It is recommended that mental health counsellors implement programmes to enhance the self-esteem and social skills of those identified as vulnerable in the undergraduate population.