Personality Traits, Perceived Stress and Social Network as Predictors of Alcohol Addiction among Youths in Ibadan, Nigeria

The challenge of alcohol use among youths  has been on the increase and the problems are manifested to the individual, the family and the society at large. One such problem is alcohol addiction which has been investigated using different predictors with varying results. Therefore, this study re-examines personality traits, perceived stress and social network as predictors of alcohol addiction among youths in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study adopted cross-sectional survey design while data was collected from 384 youths (males 282, females 102) using validated questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed using zero-order correlation, t-test of independent samples and multiple regressions analysis. Four questions were tested and the results were accepted at a p < 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that personality traits (r = 0.168, p < 0.05) and social network (r = .057, p < 0.05) positively correlated with alcohol addiction while perceived stress negatively correlated with alcohol addiction [r = - 0.029, p < .05]. Also, the result revealed that perceived stress significantly influenced alcohol addiction among youths (t [383] = 0.213, p <. 0.05). However, social networks did not significantly influence alcohol addiction among youths in Ibadan (t [382] = .026, p >. 05). Finally, the results showed the combined effect of personality traits, perceived stress and social network as joint predictors of alcohol addiction among youths in Ibadan [R2= .125, F [5, 378] = 10.771, p < .05). The study concluded that personality traits, perceived stress and social network are good predictors of alcohol addiction among the study participants. The study recommended that mental health workers should carried out personality profiling, used stress therapy and design targeted adverts to help youths who are suffering from alcohol addiction

PERSONALITY ATTRIBUTES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AFFECTING JOB COMMITMENT OF OFFICERS AND MEN OF NIGERIA POLICE FORCE

Research in the job commitment literature has focused less attention on commitment of employees in protective service organizations, in spite of the fact that global security challenges may have affected the level of commitment of security personnel. The present study extended prior job commitment literature by examining personality attributes (cynicism) and personal characteristics as factors affecting job commitment of personnel of Nigerian Police Force.Using a cross-sectional survey design, three hundred and twelve (n=312) police personnel, consisting of 237 males and 75 females purposively selected participated in the study. Forty seven (47) respondents belonged to the officer cadre, while two hundred and sixty five (265) were non-officer cadre. A structured questionnaire comprising three sections; demographic information, cynicism scale and job commitment scale was used for data collection. Three hypotheses were generated from review of relevant literature and tested using t-test of independence. Results showed that cynicism had significant influence on job commitment, (t (310) =2.042, p<. 05); cadre had significant influence on job commitment, (t (310) = 3.169, p<.05). There was no significant gender difference in job commitment, (t (310) = -.088, p>.05). The study concluded that cynicism predicted job commitment, and recommends personality profiling of prospective candidates as part of recruitment regime into the Nigeria Police Force

RELIGIOSITY AND COPING SELF-EFFICACY AS PREDICTORS OF ATTITUDE TOWARDS DIVORCE AMONG MARRIED COUPLES IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

Divorce has a pervasive effect on married people's lives as it affects them physically, psychologically and spiritually. Studies have shown that divorce rates remain intractable in our modern society. This study, therefore, investigated how religiosity and coping self-efficacy affect attitudes towards divorce among married couples in Ibadan, Nigeria.  An ex-post facto research design using a cross-sectional survey was adopted. A purposive sampling technique was used to select six communities in Ibadan North Local Government in Oyo State. Data was collected using a-structured questionnaire comprising demographic variables, religiosity (α=0.96), coping self-efficacy (α =0.98) and attitude towards divorce (α =0.70). Data were analyzed using a t-test for independent mean and multiple regressions at a p<0.05 level of significance. The results showed that coping self-efficacy significantly influenced attitude toward divorce t(293) =-5.6, p< 0.05). Also, religiosity and coping self-efficacy jointly predicted attitude towards divorce [R2 =0.12, F (2, 293) = 20.24, p < 0.05]. Furthermore, coping self-efficacy independently predicted attitude toward divorce (β= - 0.36, p < 0.05). However, religiosity did not significantly predict attitude towards divorce (β=0.04, p > 0.05). The study recommends that marriage councillors and clergymen should be actively involved in developing coping self-efficacy among potential couples and dissuades them from a negative attitude toward divorce

Influence of Role Model and Self-Efficacy on Entrepreneurial Intention among Undergraduates of the University of Ibadan

Self-employment is taking centre-stage among university undergraduates as white collar jobs are hard to come by after graduation. Empowering students for self-employment has therefore become imperative. This study aims to investigate two predictors of entrepreneurial intention: role model and self-efficacy among undergraduate students of the University of Ibadan. Cross-sectional survey design using three instruments: Role Model Scale, Self-efficacy Scale and Entrepreneurial Intention Scale were used to collect data from 200 conveniently sampled undergraduates (male: 105; female: 95). Data were analyzed using zero-order correlation, t-test of independent samples, and standard multiple regressions analysis. The results showed a significant positive correlation between entrepreneurial intention and role model. Male students reported higher entrepreneurial intention than their female counterparts. Furthermore, role model and self-efficacy jointly predicted entrepreneurial intention. Finally, role model independently predicted entrepreneurial intention. However, self-efficacy did not independently predict entrepreneurial intention among the undergraduates. The study concluded that role model, self-efficacy and gender tend to be influential factors in entrepreneurial intentions among undergraduates of the University of Ibadan. The study recommended that the university authority should intensify courses on entrepreneurship and invite seasoned entrepreneurs to come and give lectures on entrepreneurship to prepare students for careers after graduation. &nbsp

RELIGIOSITY AND COPING SELF-EFFICACY AS PREDICTORS OF ATTITUDE TOWARDS DIVORCE AMONG MARRIED COUPLES IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

Divorce has a pervasive effect on married people's lives as it affects them physically, psychologically and spiritually. Studies have shown that divorce rates remain intractable in our modern society. This study, therefore, investigated how religiosity and coping self-efficacy affect attitudes towards divorce among married couples in Ibadan, Nigeria.  An ex-post facto research design using a cross-sectional survey was adopted. A purposive sampling technique was used to select six communities in Ibadan North Local Government in Oyo State. Data was collected using a-structured questionnaire comprising demographic variables, religiosity (α=0.96), coping self-efficacy (α =0.98) and attitude towards divorce (α =0.70). Data were analyzed using a t-test for independent mean and multiple regressions at a p<0.05 level of significance. The results showed that coping self-efficacy significantly influenced attitude toward divorce t(293) =-5.6, p< 0.05). Also, religiosity and coping self-efficacy jointly predicted attitude towards divorce [R2 =0.12, F (2, 293) = 20.24, p < 0.05]. Furthermore, coping self-efficacy independently predicted attitude toward divorce (β= - 0.36, p < 0.05). However, religiosity did not significantly predict attitude towards divorce (β=0.04, p > 0.05). The study recommends that marriage councillors and clergymen should be actively involved in developing coping self-efficacy among potential couples and dissuades them from a negative attitude toward divorce

INFLUENCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ON EMOTIONAL EXHAUSTION AMONG MINISTERS OF GOD IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

Emotional exhaustion occurs when there is intense demand in workplace. The rate at which Ministers of God exhibit emotional exhaustion has been on the increased over the years. This study investigates the influence of personality traits, church-related stress, gender and age on emotional exhaustion among Ministers of God in Lagos, Nigeria. The study adopted ex-post facto research design using three instruments: Big Five Personality Scale, Church-related Stress Scale, and Emotional Exhaustion Scale to conveniently sample 202 (Males 167, Female 35) Ministers of God. Three hypotheses were tested using standard multiple regressions and t-test of independent sample mean at level of significance. The result revealed that personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, openness, neuroticism and conscientiousness) and church-related stress jointly predicted emotional exhaustion among Ministers of God in Lagos. Also, agreeableness, neuroticism  and church-relatedstress  independently predict emotional exhaustion among Ministers of God. However, gender and age did not influence emotional exhaustion among Ministers of God. The study concludes that personality traits and church-related stress are excellent predictors of emotional exhaustion among Ministers of God in the study population. It is recommended that Ministers of God should develop effective coping and problem solving techniques so as to manage both marital affairs and church activities to reduce emotional exhaustion

Coping among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA): influence of social support, self-esteem, health locus of control and gender

This study investigated the influence of social support, self-esteem, locus of control and gender on coping behaviour of People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). One hundred and three (103) PLWHA; 56 males and 47 females with mean age of 29.52 selected using the purposive sampling technique participated in the study. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and an ex-post facto research design was employed. Result of analysis using a multiple regression indicated that social support, self-esteem, health locus of control and gender have significant joint influence with coping (F (4, 73) = 5.59, p.05). It is then concluded that management of HIV/AIDS should take a multidisciplinary approach, social support should be in the front burner, society should be sensitized to the importance of social support that is culturally appropriate and behaviour modification focused.Keywords: social support, self-esteem, locus of control, coping and PLWHAAfrican Journal for Psychological Study of Social Issues Vol. 8(1) 2005: 114-12

COVID-19 Knowledge and Perceptions in Nigeria

This study assessed knowledge and perceptions about COVID-19 among the general public in Nigeria during the initial week of the pandemic lockdown in the country. From March 28 to April 4, 2020, this cross-sectional survey used an anonymous online questionnaire to collect data from respondents within Nigeria. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit 1357 respondents, aged 15-70 years, from 180 cities and towns within Nigeria. Study data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Approximately more than half (57.02%) of the respondents were male with high level of education (48.86% bachelor’s degree or higher). Approximately half of the respondents (46.94%) opined that COVID-19 was “a biological weapon designed by the Chinese government.” About 94% of the respondents identified “contact with airborne droplets via breathing, sneezing, or coughing” as the most common mode of transmission; most respondents associated COVID-19 with coughing (81.13%), shortness of breath (73.47%) and fever (62.79%). “Regular hand washing and social distancing” was selected by most respondents (94.25%) as a way of preventing infection whereas 11.86% reported “consuming gins, garlic, ginger, herbal mixtures and African foods/soups” as preventive measures against COVID-19. Majority of the respondents (91.73%) thought COVID-19 is deadly; and most respondents (84.3%) got 4 or more answers correctly. It was also observed that the traditional media (TV/Radio) are the most common source of health information about COVID-19 (93.5%). Findings revealed that Nigerians have relatively high knowledge, mostly derived from traditional media, about COVID-19. Their perceptions of COVID-19 bear implications across public health initiatives, compliance with precautionary behavior as well as bilateral relations with foreign nations. Evidence-based campaign should be intensified to remove misconceptions and promote precautionary measures

Interethnic influencing factors regarding buttocks body image in women from Nigeria, Germany, USA and Japan

Background: Body image research deals a lot with awareness of the body as an entity. Studies that consider individual anatomical aspects and place them in an intercultural context are rarely present. Methods: For this purpose, general data, body perception and judgment of body images from 2163 (48% female and 52% male) participants from Germany, Nigeria, the USA and Japan were evaluated as part of a survey. Results: There were clear differences in the personal body image of the participants' own buttocks, the buttocks as a beauty ideal and the way in which dissatisfaction was dealt with in different countries. In addition to sexual well-being (importance score: 0.405 a.u.), the country of origin (0.353), media consumption (0.042) and one's own weight (0.069) were also identified as influencing factors for satisfaction with one's own buttocks. A clear evolution could be derived regarding a WHR (waist-to-hip ratio) of well below 0.7, which was consistently favored by the participants but also propagated by influencers through images ($\it ρ$ < 0.001). In this context, participants who indicated celebrities as role models for the buttocks showed a correspondingly high level of dissatisfaction with their own buttocks (R = −0.207, $\it ρ$ < 0.001, $\it ρ$ = −0.218). Conclusion: Overall, a highly significant correlation was shown between the consumption frequency of Instagram, TikTok and pornography with the negative perception of women's own buttocks

Body appreciation around the world: Measurement invariance of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age

The Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) is a widely used measure of a core facet of the positive body image construct. However, extant research concerning measurement invariance of the BAS-2 across a large number of nations remains limited. Here, we utilised the Body Image in Nature (BINS) dataset - with data collected between 2020 and 2022 - to assess measurement invariance of the BAS-2 across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis indicated that full scalar invariance was upheld across all nations, languages, gender identities, and age groups, suggesting that the unidimensional BAS-2 model has widespread applicability. There were large differences across nations and languages in latent body appreciation, while differences across gender identities and age groups were negligible-to-small. Additionally, greater body appreciation was significantly associated with higher life satisfaction, being single (versus being married or in a committed relationship), and greater rurality (versus urbanicity). Across a subset of nations where nation-level data were available, greater body appreciation was also significantly associated with greater cultural distance from the United States and greater relative income inequality. These findings suggest that the BAS-2 likely captures a near-universal conceptualisation of the body appreciation construct, which should facilitate further cross-cultural research