Exploring the Impact of Parenting Styles and Cognitive Alertness on Adolescent Sexual Behavior in Ibadan North Local Government Secondary Schools

Abstract

In Nigeria, the family name and integrity are protected from being tarnished by all extended family members.  In some families, this is usually done by consulting oracles to reveal the secret surrounding the birth of the child and what the child will become in the future.  Some people believe in reincarnation. This quantitative study investigates the impact of parenting styles and cognitive alertness on adolescent sexual behavior among 250 secondary school students in Ibadan North Local Government. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data, which was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that authoritative parenting style (β = -0.25, p < 0.01) and cognitive alertness (β = -0.31, p < 0.001) significantly predict lower levels of adolescent sexual behavior. Conversely, permissive parenting style (β = 0.21, p < 0.05) predicts higher levels of adolescent sexual behavior. The study highlights the importance of parenting styles and cognitive alertness in shaping adolescent sexual behavior. The findings have implications for parents, educators, and policymakers seeking to promote healthy adolescent development and reduce risky sexual behavior.