Sexual Abuse and Self-Concept Among Senior Secondary School Students in Cross-River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Survey data collected from 2,000 Senior Secondary two (SSII) students in Cross-River State, Nigeria were analyzed to determine the influence of sexual abuse on the self-concept of the students. One dimension of child abuse (sexual abuse) and five dimensions of self-concept (such as social self-concept, physical self-concept, moral self-concept, financial self concept and family self-concept) were considered in the study. One way analysis of variance was used in testing the hypothesis at 0.05 Alpha levels. The results obtained showed a significant negative influence of sexual abuse on the student’s self-concept in terms of the social self, physical-self, moral-self, family-self, and financial self-concept respectively.

Key words: Sexual abuse and self-concept in Cross River State – Nigeria.