Dr Otonjo Ibim Emoyon-Iredia
Abstract
The study adopted descriptive survey design to investigate perceptions on the influence of emotional abuse on masturbation and lesbianism practices in universities in Rivers State. Using a multi-stage sampling process, a sample size of 1,200 female undergraduates from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State University, and University of Port Harcourt was chosen for the study. The study employed a self-structured questionnaire titled “Emotional Abuse on Masturbation and Lesbianism Practices Questionnaire” (EAMLPQ). The instrument’s reliability was established using a test-retest technique, yielding a reliability value of 0.84 using Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistics. To answer the research questions, descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were used. The independent t-test was employed to test the hypotheses at a significant level of 0.05. The study showed that female undergraduates mostly from state-owned universities, 200 level and faculty of education students showed significantly higher level of perception of the influence of emotional abuse on masturbation and lesbianism practices. It was recommended, among others, that higher institutions and secondary schools in Rivers state should recruit counselling psychologists for the purpose of proffering professional services that would help to avert the ugly trend.