PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS DETERMINING SEXUAL PRACTICES AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: FOCUSING ON FAITH-BASED UNIVERSITY-RELATED FACTORS.

Abstract

    Sexual practices among undergraduate students in faith-based universities has been a topic of interest in recent years. To unravel the intricacies of this phenomenon, this study aimed to explore the psychosocial factors that determine sexual practices among undergraduate students in faith-based universities. Specifically, it focused on the roles of emotional intelligence, gender, family type, religion, and academic level in shaping sexual behaviour in these settings. The objective of the study was to provide empirical evidence for parents, educators, and policy-makers to better understand and guide undergraduate students' sexual practices in faith-based universities. This study was conducted at the Fountain University Osogbo, a faith-based institution in Nigeria, using a cross-sectional research design. The researchers employed purposive sampling techniques to recruit 752 participants, comprising first-year and final-year undergraduates. Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) were used to collect data anonymously and increase the response rate. The study found that a majority of the participants (61%) were sexually active, and there were significant difference of emotional intelligence in undergraduate sexual practices {t (751) = 12.68, p<0.05}. There was a difference in sexual practices between the entry and exit points of the faith-based academic setting, with more sexual activity observed at the point of exit. The study also revealed that emotional intelligence (R²= 0.03, F (1, 751)=25.60, p<.05) and undergraduate level were predictors of undergraduate sexual practices, while traditional demographic factors like gender {t (750) = 24.94, p>0.05}, family type, religion and undergraduate level collectively did not have a significant impact (R²= 0.009, F(1, 751)=2.39, p>.05). The study's findings suggest that emotional intelligence development is critical in shaping sexual behaviour among undergraduate students in faith-based universities. The study also highlights the complex interplay between psychosocial factors and sexual practices among undergraduate students in faith-based universities, emphasizing the need for further research in this area. Overall, the study provides valuable insights for parents, educators, and policy-makers to better understand and guide undergraduate students' sexual practices in faith-based universities. Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Gender, Family Type, Religion, Academic Level and Sexual Behaviour