ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PARENTAL SOCIAL FACTORS IN PRO-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AMONG PRE-ADOLESCENTS AND ADOLESCENTS IN LAGOS STATE
Keywords:
Pro-social behaviour, adolescents, Empathy, Self-efficacy.Abstract
Engaging in positive behaviours could contribute to a peaceful society. Positive behaviours such as pro-social behaviour especially among pre-adolescents and adolescents appear to be declining. It is in this light that this study examined the roles of psychosocial variables (empathy, self-efficacy, peer pressure and religion) on pro-social behaviour among pre-adolescents and adolescents. Relevant theories provided explanation for the variables linkage. Using a cross-sectional survey design, a structured questionnaire consisting of standardized scales was administered on 260 conveniently sampled senior secondary school adolescents consisting of 111 (42.7%) males and 149 (57.3%) females with age ranged between 10-18 years. Among the participants, 209 (80.4%) were Christians, 42 (16.2%) were Muslims, and 9 (3.5%) were of other religions. Four research hypotheses were tested using both descriptive and inferential statistics for analysis at p < .05. Significant findings revealed that the predictor variables independently and jointly predicted pro-social behaviour among participants, [R2 = .34, F (4, 255) = 32.42, p < .005]. Also parental marital status significantly influenced pro-social behaviour among the participants [F (3, 253) = 3.89, p < .01], so was the occupation of parents which significantly influenced pro-social behaviour among the participants [F (2, 254) = 16.69, p < .005]. The findings of the study were discussed exhaustively and sufficiently in relation to existing and relevant empirical studies, implications were observed and suggestions made.ÂReferences
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