Gender difference, class level and the role of internet addiction and loneliness on sexual compulsivity among secondary school students

Abstract

The study separately examined gender and class level differences in sexual compulsivity and determined the contributions of loneliness and internet addiction in explaining sexual compulsivity among secondary school students. A convenience sample of 311 male and female secondary school students with age range of 13–21 years (M = 15.61, SD = 1.63) completed a cross sectional survey that comprised demographic information and measures of loneliness, internet addiction and sexual compulsivity. Hierarchical regression statistics showed that both feeling of loneliness and internet addiction significantly contributed to level of sexual compulsion with internet addiction recording higher scores. Male secondary school children reported higher sexual compulsion than their female counterparts. Class level has no significant influence on sexual compulsivity but its effects appeared to increase as students advanced in classes. Comprehensive sexual education and preventive interventions with emphasis on intensive parent-child communication as well as internet use control for proper upbringing of children are recommended.

Keywords

• Sexual compulsivity
• internet addiction
• loneliness
• secondary school children
• Nigeria