Self-esteem, self-efficacy and risky sexual behaviours among secondary school adolescents in Kisoro District, Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-esteem, self-efficacy and risky sexual behaviours among secondary school adolescents in Kisoro district. The study adopted a cross sectional – correlational research design. Data was collected using a questionnaire survey of 165 respondents selected from 5 secondary schools. Results revealed that there is a positive but non-significant relationship between Self-esteem and self-efficacy (r=.134, p=.087). The study also revealed that there is a positive non-significant relationship between self-esteem and risky sexual behaviours (r=.194, p=.013). The study also revealed that there is a positive non-significant relationship between self-efficacy and risky sexual behaviours (r=.029, p=.708). The study also revealed that there is a significant relationship between mediating role of self-efficacy, self-esteem and risky sexual behaviours among adolescents in secondary schools of Kisoro District. The study concluded that there is a positive association between self-esteem and risky sexual behaviours while there is a positive association between self-efficacy and risky sexual behaviours. It was also observed that self-efficacy significantly mediates on the relationship between self-esteem and risky sexual behaviors (r=.66, p=.0001). The study recommends that head teachers, Ministry of education and sports should plan effectively the national curriculum to introduce sex education to secondary school students in Uganda. The study also recommended that mental health professionals who work with the youths should improve on their self-efficacy skills. The study also recommended that therapists should empirically focus on assertive communication as a trans-diagnostic tool, irrespective of the individual and relational problems presented in therapy.