GENDER, SELF-COMPASSION AND RESILIENCE AS PREDICTORS OF SEXUAL IMMORALITY AMONG YOUTHS IN OWERRI

Abstract

The study investigated gender, self-compassion and resilience as predictors of sexual immorality among youths in Owerri. Three hundred youths (132 males and 168 females) aged 15 to 29 years from Imo State University and Ekeonuwa market were selected using simple random sampling technique. Four hypotheses were postulated and tested. Three instruments, the sexual immorality scale, the self-compassion scale and the resilience scale were used for data collection. Multiple regression statistics was used for data analysis. The results showed that gender was not a significant predictor of sexual immorality (β = -0.04, t= -.74, p> .05), whereas self-compassion (β = 0.11, t= 1.99, p<.05) and resilience (β = 0.13, t= 2.25, p<.05) were significant predictors of sexual immorality. The overall model showed that together gender, self-compassion and resilience significantly predicted sexual immorality [F (3, 296) = 3.06, p= .03].  This study concluded that while there is no gender disparity in sexual immorality, young people who have high self-compassion and those who are highly resilient seem to be more involved in sexual immorality. The study recommended that sexual and reproductive health education should be a mandatory aspect of the training of young people at home, school, and faith-based organizations. All organs of society involved with child rearing, growth and development of adolescents should intensify their teachings against sexual immorality.