Influence of Childhood Emotional Abuse, Peer Conformity, and Sensation Seeking on Risky Behaviours among Senior Secondary School Students

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between childhood emotional abuse, peer conformity, sensation seeking, and risky behaviours among senior secondary school students in Ibadan, Nigeria. A total of 156 participants, aged 15 to 19 years, were purposively and snowball sampled from three schools in Ibadan: School A (63 students), School B (48 students), and School C (45 students). The study aimed to investigate whether these psychosocial factors significantly correlate with risky behaviours, determine their combined effect, and assess the relative contribution of each factor. Data were collected using standardized self-report questionnaires measuring childhood emotional abuse, peer conformity, sensation seeking, and engagement in risky behaviours. The analysis revealed significant correlations between childhood emotional abuse, peer conformity, sensation seeking, and risky behaviours. The regression results indicated a significant combined effect of these factors on risky behaviours, with childhood emotional abuse and peer conformity being the strongest predictors. The study highlights the critical role of early emotional experiences and peer influences in shaping adolescent behaviour, with implications for targeted interventions in educational settings. Limitations include the reliance on self-report measures and the cross-sectional nature of the study, which limits causal inferences. Recommendations for future studies include longitudinal research to better understand the causal pathways and interventions to reduce risky behaviours among adolescents. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on adolescent risky behaviours in Nigeria and offers insights for policy and practice in preventing harmful behaviours in school settings.