Religiosity, Parental Monitoring and Control and Number of Sexual Partners among Emerging Adults

Olufemi Adetutu, Obafemi Awolowo University

There is a systematic absence of studies linking a range of constructs of religiosity and parental monitoring and control to sexuality of emerging adults in Nigeria. The few available studies focused on the main religious faith including Christianity, Islam and traditional religion among adolescents but largely overlooked the core indicators of religiosity. Sequential explanatory mixed method approach was used. Quantitative data were collected through a multi-stage sampling design that included purposive selection of three states across the three main ethnic nationality of Nigeria. One thousand emerging adults aged 18-25 years were selected in Eboyin, Osun and Kaduna. Qualitative data were collected and integrated with quantitative data using the theoretical lens of social control theory. Thirty in-depth interviews and 6 focus group discussions were collected across the three states. Results showed mixed findings regarding relationship between different religiosity constructs and sexual behaviour. This study concluded that religiosity and parental supervision are significant predictors of positive sexual behaviour.