Abstract:
The study investigated self-efficacy, peer pressure and gender as predictors of altruism among two hundred and eighty-eight (288) Secondary School students of Learning Field International Secondary School, Our Lady High Secondary School and In Land Doors Secondary School all in Onitsha, Anambra State. They consisted of one hundred and fifty six (156) males and one hundred and thirty two females aged 12-17 years with mean age of 14.5 years. Three instruments were used in this study: General Self-efficacy scale, Peer Pressure Inventory and Altruism Scale. The purpose of the study was to examine whether self-efficacy, peer pressure and gender have predictive ability over altruism. It was hypothesized that: Self-efficacy would not significantly predict altruism among adolescents. Peer pressure would not significantly predict altruism among adolescents. Gender differences would not significantly predict altruism among adolescents. To test the hypotheses, linear regression analysis was used for data analysis and showed a significant effect of one predictor variable: Self-efficacy (b = 1.11, p<.001) and no significant effect of the other predictor variables: peer pressure and gender on altruism, the dependent variable. The result of the findings showed that self-efficacy is a statistically significant predictor of altruism among secondary school students of Learning Field International Secondary School, Our Lady High Secondary School and In Land Doors Secondary School all in Onitsha, Anambra State. And that peer pressure and gender are not statistically significant predictor of altruism among secondary school students of Learning Field International Secondary School, Our Lady High Secondary School and In Land Doors Secondary School all in Onitsha, Anambra State. The implications and limitations of the study were highlighted and suggestions were made for further studies.
