Cohabitation Attitudes and Behaviours of Undergraduate Students in Taraba State, Nigeria: The Mediating Role of Social Media and Peer Pressure
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Published:
Jul 2, 2024
Keywords:
Attitudes, Behaviours, Cohabitation, Peer Pressure, Social learning theory, Social Media
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Abstract
This study examines the impact of social-media and peer pressure on attitudes and behavior of undergraduate students towards cohabitation. The study sampled 1,970 undergraduate students from three universities in Taraba State, Nigeria. Data was collected with an online questionnaire. The study adopts social learning theory and Berger and Luckman’s social construction of reality. The data was analyzed using multiple regression and mediation analysis. The results reveal significant positive effects of attitudes towards cohabitation, social media use, and peer pressure on behaviours towards cohabitation. The finding revealed that a one-unit increase in attitudes towards cohabitation corresponds to a 0.41-unit increase in cohabitation behaviours. It also revealed that, a one-unit increase in social media use and peer pressure leads to a 0.21-unit and 0.25-unit increase, respectively, in cohabitation behaviours. Furthermore, the study shows that age negatively affects cohabitation behaviours, indicating a decrease in behaviours as age increases. The mediation analysis reveals that attitudes towards cohabitation significantly predict behaviors towards cohabitation (coefficient = 0.26 P <0.001). The study further revealed that social media use and peer pressure partially mediate the relationship between attitudes and behaviours towards cohabitation (0.19 (P< 0.001) with a 95% confidence interval of 0.14, 0.24). The study concludes that social media use and peer pressure play essential roles in shaping attitudes towards cohabitation and cohabiting behaviour among undergraduates in Taraba State.
Article Details
How to Cite
Saheed, Rahman O., and Mariam Seedat-Khan. 2024. “Cohabitation Attitudes and Behaviours of Undergraduate Students in Taraba State, Nigeria: The Mediating Role of Social Media and Peer Pressure”. ABUAD Journal of Social and Management Sciences 5 (2), 319-40. https://doi.org/10.53982/ajsms.2024.0502.06-j.
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References
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Bain, L. E., Ahinkorah, B. O., Seidu, A.-A., Budu, E., Okyere, J., & Kongnyuy, E. (2021). Beyond counting intended pregnancies among young women to understanding their associated factors in sub-Saharan Africa. International Health, 14(5), 501–509. https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihab056
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Heuveline, P., & Timberlake, J. M. (2004). The role of cohabitation in family formation: The United States in comparative perspective. Journal of Marriage and Family, 66(5), 1214-1230.
Ifeanyi-Brian, A. J., Umeononihu, O., Echendu, A. D., & Eke, N. (2016). Sexual behaviour among students in a tertiary educational institution in southeast Nigeria. Advances in Reproductive Sciences, 04(03), 87–92. https://doi.org/10.4236/arsci.2016.43010
John, J., & Alhassan, D. Z. (2019). Factors influencing cohabitation among undergraduate students of Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State, Nigeria: Implications for counselling. Journal of Education and Practice, 10(9). https://doi.org/10.7176/jep/10-9-02
Kalu, M. U., Ejiogu, N. H., Chukwukadibia, C. N., & Nleonu, E. C. (2021). Social-economic and Health Effects of Cohabitation Among Off Campus Students in Nigeria Tertiary Institutions: A Case Study Of Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, Imo State. Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Science, 9(3).
Kaya, J. (2023). The expectations-reality dissonance in student teaching: a discourse analysis of one pre-service teacher’s perspective. Educational Linguistics, 2(1), 29-50.
Kiernan, K. (2004). Unmarried cohabitation and parenthood in Britain and Europe. Law & Policy, 26(1), 33-55.
Liefbroer, A. C., & Dourleijn, E. (2006). Unmarried cohabitation and union stability: Testing the role of diffusion using data from 16 European countries. Demography, 43(2), 203-221.
Manco-Chavez, J. A., Uribe-Hernandez, Y. C., Buendia-Aparcana, R., Vertiz-Osores, J. J., Isla Alcoser, S. D., & Rengifo-Lozano, R. A. (2020). Integration of ICTS and Digital Skills in Times of the Pandemic COVID-19. International Journal of Higher Education, 9(9), 11-20.
Manning, W. D., Cohen, J. A., & Smock, P. J. (2011). The role of romantic partners, family, and peer networks in dating couples’ views about cohabitation. Journal of adolescent research, 26(1), 115-149.
McDaniel, B. T., Drouin, M., & Cravens, J. D. (2017). Do you have anything to hide? Infidelity-related behaviors on social media sites and marital satisfaction. Computers in Human Behavior, 66, 88–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.09.031
Montoya, R. M., & Pittinsky, T. L. (2011). When increased group identification leads to outgroup liking and cooperation: The role of trust. The Journal of social psychology, 151(6), 784-806.
Morris, M. E. (2020). Enhancing relationships through technology: Directions in parenting, caregiving, romantic partnerships, and clinical practice. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 22(2), 151–160. https://doi.org/10.31887/dcns.2020.22.2/mmorris
Mustafai, A. (2019). The Reality and its Instances: Review on Bergers and Luckmann’s Theory of the Social Construction of Reality. Knowledge-International Journal, 30(5), 1319-1323.
Nwikpo, M. N., & Offodueze, O. A. (2022). Prevalence causes and consequences of premarital cohabitation and academic performance of undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe university, Awka. International Journal of Management, Social Sciences, Peace and Conflict Studies (IJMSSPCS)., 5(4), 45–60.
Ojewola, F.O., & Akinduyo, T.E. (2017). Prevalence and factors responsible for cohabitation among undergraduates of Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State, Nigeria. American Journal of Educational Research, 5(6), 650–654. https://doi.org/10.12691/education-5-6-10
Onimajesin, S. I., Saheed, R. O., Atiku, A. A., & Olasunkanmi, O. A. (2020). Globalization, sexual exploration, and cohabiting culture among undergraduate students at university of Ilorin, Nigeria. Journal Manajemen Bisnis (JMB), 33(2).
Parmer, D. W. (2017). Choosing Marriage in a Period of Decline: The Role of Homogeneity, Religion, and Social Networks in the Marriage Market among Jewish Young Adults. Brandeis University, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management.
Pollard, M., & Harris, K. (2013). Nonmarital cohabitation marriage, and health among adolescents and young adults. RAND Corporation. http://dx.doi.org/10.7249/wr997
Rena, R. (2006). Premarital sex-lessons from American experience, Ilorin (Nigeria). The Nigerian Journal of Guidance & Counselling 11 (1), 134-155.
Seltzer, J. A. (2004). Cohabitation in the United States and Britain: Demography, kinship, and the future. Journal of Marriage and Family, 66(4), 921-928.
Smock, P. J. (2000). Cohabitation in the United States: An appraisal of research themes, findings, and implications. Annual Review of Sociology, 26, 1-20.
Stanley, S.M., Whitton, S.W. & Markman, H.J. (2004). Maybe I do: Interpersonal commitment and premarital or non-marital cohabitation? Journal of family Issues 25:496-519.
Svodziwa, M., & Kurete, F. (2017). Cohabitation among tertiary education students: An exploratory study in Bulawayo. Human and Social Studies, 6(1), 138–148. https://doi.org/10.1515/hssr-2016-0009
Uzobo, E., & Enoch, R. O. (2020). Social Media use and Sexual Behaviour of Undergraduate Students in a Nigerian University. Research Square Platform LLC. http://dx.doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-34051/v1
Wang, L., Qiu, J., Yan, S., & Liu, W. (2021). Does mobile social media undermine our romantic relationships? The influence of fear of missing out (fomo) on young people’ romantic relationship. Research Square Platform LLC. http://dx.doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-636141/v
World Health Organization. (2001). Sexual relations among young people in developing countries: Evidence from WHO case studies. Geneva: WHO.
Yang, X., Tseng, Y., & Lee, B. (2021). Merging the social influence theory and the goal-framing theory to understand consumers’ green purchasing behavior: Does the level of sensitivity to climate change really matter?. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 766754.
Adeyera, O., Omisore, A. G., Balogun, O. D., Akinwusi, M. D., Oyekanmi, O. D., Abiodun, O. M., & Adesina, K. A. (2023). Prevalence of, disposition towards and factors associated with cohabitation among undergraduates in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Research Journal of Health Sciences, 11(4), 384–392. https://doi.org/10.4314/rejhs.v11i4.12
Alebiosu, Y. O. (2020). Demographic determinants of couple life behaviour among undergraduates in Osun State, Nigeria. International Journal of Educational Research, 7(1), 160-171.
Aremu, O. D., Aliyu, M. A., Jibril, A. T., & Abubakar, A. (2019). An investigation of co-habitation and academic achievement among students of tertiary institutions in Niger State, Nigeria. International Journal of Advances in Scientific Research and Engineering, 05(10), 263–270. https://doi.org/10.31695/ijasre.2019.33566
Arikewuyo, A., Ozad, B., & Lasisi, T. T. (2019). Erotic use of social media pornography in gratifying romantic relationship desires. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 22. https://doi.org/10.1017/sjp.2019.60
Bain, L. E., Ahinkorah, B. O., Seidu, A.-A., Budu, E., Okyere, J., & Kongnyuy, E. (2021). Beyond counting intended pregnancies among young women to understanding their associated factors in sub-Saharan Africa. International Health, 14(5), 501–509. https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihab056
Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191–215. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191 Baranowska-Rataj, A., & Abramowska-Kmon, A. (2019). Number of children and social contacts among older people: The moderating role of filial norms and social policies. European Journal of Ageing, 16, 95-107.
Berger, P. L., & Luckmann, T. (1967). The Social Construction of Reality: A treatise on the sociology of knowledge. Anchor. Columbus, O. (2014). African cultural values and inter-communal relations: The case with Nigeria. Developing Country Studies, 4(24), 208-217.
Duyilemi, A. N., Tunde-Awe, B. M., & Lois, L. O. A. (2018). Cohabitation in Nigeria Tertiary Institutions: A Case Study of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria. International Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities (IJSSH), 3(1), 27–37. Retrieved from https://ijssh.ielas.org/index.php/ijssh/article/view/23 Eggebeen, D., & Dew, J. (2009). The role of religion in adolescence for family formation in young adulthood. Journal of Marriage and Family, 71(1), 108-121. Hernandez, E. A. (2012). Using cultivation theory to analyze college student attitudes about the dating process following exposure to romantic films (Doctoral dissertation).
Heuveline, P., & Timberlake, J. M. (2004). The role of cohabitation in family formation: The United States in comparative perspective. Journal of Marriage and Family, 66(5), 1214-1230.
Ifeanyi-Brian, A. J., Umeononihu, O., Echendu, A. D., & Eke, N. (2016). Sexual behaviour among students in a tertiary educational institution in southeast Nigeria. Advances in Reproductive Sciences, 04(03), 87–92. https://doi.org/10.4236/arsci.2016.43010
John, J., & Alhassan, D. Z. (2019). Factors influencing cohabitation among undergraduate students of Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State, Nigeria: Implications for counselling. Journal of Education and Practice, 10(9). https://doi.org/10.7176/jep/10-9-02
Kalu, M. U., Ejiogu, N. H., Chukwukadibia, C. N., & Nleonu, E. C. (2021). Social-economic and Health Effects of Cohabitation Among Off Campus Students in Nigeria Tertiary Institutions: A Case Study Of Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, Imo State. Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Science, 9(3).
Kaya, J. (2023). The expectations-reality dissonance in student teaching: a discourse analysis of one pre-service teacher’s perspective. Educational Linguistics, 2(1), 29-50.
Kiernan, K. (2004). Unmarried cohabitation and parenthood in Britain and Europe. Law & Policy, 26(1), 33-55.
Liefbroer, A. C., & Dourleijn, E. (2006). Unmarried cohabitation and union stability: Testing the role of diffusion using data from 16 European countries. Demography, 43(2), 203-221.
Manco-Chavez, J. A., Uribe-Hernandez, Y. C., Buendia-Aparcana, R., Vertiz-Osores, J. J., Isla Alcoser, S. D., & Rengifo-Lozano, R. A. (2020). Integration of ICTS and Digital Skills in Times of the Pandemic COVID-19. International Journal of Higher Education, 9(9), 11-20.
Manning, W. D., Cohen, J. A., & Smock, P. J. (2011). The role of romantic partners, family, and peer networks in dating couples’ views about cohabitation. Journal of adolescent research, 26(1), 115-149.
McDaniel, B. T., Drouin, M., & Cravens, J. D. (2017). Do you have anything to hide? Infidelity-related behaviors on social media sites and marital satisfaction. Computers in Human Behavior, 66, 88–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.09.031
Montoya, R. M., & Pittinsky, T. L. (2011). When increased group identification leads to outgroup liking and cooperation: The role of trust. The Journal of social psychology, 151(6), 784-806.
Morris, M. E. (2020). Enhancing relationships through technology: Directions in parenting, caregiving, romantic partnerships, and clinical practice. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 22(2), 151–160. https://doi.org/10.31887/dcns.2020.22.2/mmorris
Mustafai, A. (2019). The Reality and its Instances: Review on Bergers and Luckmann’s Theory of the Social Construction of Reality. Knowledge-International Journal, 30(5), 1319-1323.
Nwikpo, M. N., & Offodueze, O. A. (2022). Prevalence causes and consequences of premarital cohabitation and academic performance of undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe university, Awka. International Journal of Management, Social Sciences, Peace and Conflict Studies (IJMSSPCS)., 5(4), 45–60.
Ojewola, F.O., & Akinduyo, T.E. (2017). Prevalence and factors responsible for cohabitation among undergraduates of Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State, Nigeria. American Journal of Educational Research, 5(6), 650–654. https://doi.org/10.12691/education-5-6-10
Onimajesin, S. I., Saheed, R. O., Atiku, A. A., & Olasunkanmi, O. A. (2020). Globalization, sexual exploration, and cohabiting culture among undergraduate students at university of Ilorin, Nigeria. Journal Manajemen Bisnis (JMB), 33(2).
Parmer, D. W. (2017). Choosing Marriage in a Period of Decline: The Role of Homogeneity, Religion, and Social Networks in the Marriage Market among Jewish Young Adults. Brandeis University, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management.
Pollard, M., & Harris, K. (2013). Nonmarital cohabitation marriage, and health among adolescents and young adults. RAND Corporation. http://dx.doi.org/10.7249/wr997
Rena, R. (2006). Premarital sex-lessons from American experience, Ilorin (Nigeria). The Nigerian Journal of Guidance & Counselling 11 (1), 134-155.
Seltzer, J. A. (2004). Cohabitation in the United States and Britain: Demography, kinship, and the future. Journal of Marriage and Family, 66(4), 921-928.
Smock, P. J. (2000). Cohabitation in the United States: An appraisal of research themes, findings, and implications. Annual Review of Sociology, 26, 1-20.
Stanley, S.M., Whitton, S.W. & Markman, H.J. (2004). Maybe I do: Interpersonal commitment and premarital or non-marital cohabitation? Journal of family Issues 25:496-519.
Svodziwa, M., & Kurete, F. (2017). Cohabitation among tertiary education students: An exploratory study in Bulawayo. Human and Social Studies, 6(1), 138–148. https://doi.org/10.1515/hssr-2016-0009
Uzobo, E., & Enoch, R. O. (2020). Social Media use and Sexual Behaviour of Undergraduate Students in a Nigerian University. Research Square Platform LLC. http://dx.doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-34051/v1
Wang, L., Qiu, J., Yan, S., & Liu, W. (2021). Does mobile social media undermine our romantic relationships? The influence of fear of missing out (fomo) on young people’ romantic relationship. Research Square Platform LLC. http://dx.doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-636141/v
World Health Organization. (2001). Sexual relations among young people in developing countries: Evidence from WHO case studies. Geneva: WHO.
Yang, X., Tseng, Y., & Lee, B. (2021). Merging the social influence theory and the goal-framing theory to understand consumers’ green purchasing behavior: Does the level of sensitivity to climate change really matter?. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 766754.