Social media usage, self-regulation and intentions to engage in risky sexual behaviors among students of Kyambogo University in Uganda

Abstract

This study set out to establish the relationship between Social Media Usage, Self- Regulation and intentions to engage in Risky Sexual Behaviours among university students, a case study of Kyambogo University in Uganda. This study was conducted using a correlational study design. A sample size of 370 participants was used in the study. The respondents constituted final year students of Kyambogo University. Data were entered in SPSS version 20 and analysed using Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficients and regression analysis. The study found out that there is a weak significant positive relationship between social media usage and self-regulation (r = .203, p = 0.01), negative relationship between self-regulation and intentions to engage in risky sexual behaviours (r = -.173, p = 0.01), there is no significant relationship between social media usage and intentions to engage in risky sexual behaviour (r=-.081, p<0.01). Social media usage and self-regulation are significant predictors of intentions to engage in risky sexual behaviour, (t=0.917, P=.000), (t=3.091, P=.002). However, the better predictor of intentions to engage in risky sexual behaviour is self-regulation (Beta = 0.162, t=3.091, p= 0.002) among university students. Among the recommendations, there is need for sensitisation of the students and youth in universities on hazards of engaging in risky sexual behaviours, adopting selfregulation as a protective factor and also sensitise students on various control measures of social media usage, and risky sexual behaviour intentions. Key words: Social Media Usage, Self-Regulation, Risky Sexual Behaviour