Title:
PSYCHOLOGICAL VARIABLES AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR OF UNDERGRADUATES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Authors:
Unwanede, Umu Akamusu, Lawrence Asuquo and Njoku Joy N

Abstract:
The study examined Psychological Variables and Sexual Behaviour among Undergraduates of Tertiary Institutions in Cross River State, the literature was reviewed based on the variables of the study. Two purposes were formulated for the study, and two research questions were put forward and translated to two hypotheses. The Method(s) adopted were Ex-post facto design. A sample of five hundred and seven (507) students was randomly selected from a population of 76,279 students across ten institutions. Psychological Variables and Sexual Behaviour Questionnaire (PVSBQ) was used to collect data for the study. The validated questionnaire was used to collect data from the subjects. Data were analysed using simple linear regression to test the hypotheses directing the study either to reject or retain them at the 0.05 level of significance. Results revealed that self-esteem and self-regulation have significant individual and relative influence on sexual behaviour. Based on the findings, it was concluded that psychological values of self-esteem and self-regulation have individual and relative influence on their sexual behaviour. It was recommended that authorities of tertiary institutions, school administrators, parents, educational psychologists, and counsellors should create awareness about the implications of self-esteem and self-regulation in maintaining acceptable sexual behaviour.

Keywords:
Self-esteem, Self-regulation, sexual behaviour and undergraduates

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37500/IJESSR.2026.9307

Date of Publication: 24-05-2026