Self-Efficacy, emotional stability and mental health as predictors of risk taking behaviour among Nigerian university undergraduates: implications for human development

Abstract

This study sought to explain the combined and separate effects of self-efficacy, mental health and emotional stability on risk-taking behaviour of University undergraduates. The survey research design was adopted utilizing four validated instruments in the collection of data. Participants (male = 175 and females = 250; mean age = 22.40; standard deviation = 4.56) were drawn from six faculties in Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye in Ogun State, Nigeria. Data analysis involved the use of multiple regression procedure and t-test statistics to determine the predictive capacity of the independent variables on the criterion variable. The results indicated that all the three independent variables jointly predicted risk-taking behaviour, accounting for about 15 percent of the variation in the risk taking behaviour of university undergraduates. Each of the independent variables contributed significantly to the prediction of risk taking behaviour, with self-efficacy being the most potent predictor of risk-taking behaviour (β = .313; t = 6.456; p <. 05). This was followed by emotional stability (β = -.170; t = 2.548; p <. 05) while mental health was the least predictor of risk-taking behaviour (β = .175; t = 2.406; p <. 05). Implications of the findings for human development were articulated.

Keywords: Self-Efficacy, Emotional Stability, Mental Health, Risk-Taking Behaviour, University Undergraduates

> IFI PsychologIA Vol. 27 2006: pp. 173-193