Prosocial Behaviour of In-School Adolescents: The Perceived Influence of Self-Esteem, Peer Influence and Parental Involvement

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of self esteem, peer influence and parental involvement on the prosocial behaviour of in-school adolescents in Ibadan, Oyo State. Using the descriptive survey research design, 300 randomly selected in-school adolescents in Ibadan metropolis reflecting 10% of the population, were participants for the study. Four valid and standardized scales were used to collect data from the participants. Three research hypotheses were tested in the study at 0.05 level of significance. The data collected in the study were analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC), and multiple regression analysis. It was found that self esteem, peer influence and parental involvement had significant relationships with prosocial behaviour of the participants. The three predictors contributed significantly to the prediction of prosocial behaviour when combined and independent, accounting for a variation of about 45.1% of the criterion measure. However, while peer influence was the most potent predictor it was inversely related to prosocial behaviour. Based on the findings from the study, recommendations were made for significant stakeholders.