Parental Neglect and Attitude towards Marriage: Moderating Effect of Conscientiousness Trait among Young Adults in Ekiti State

Abstract

Parental neglect may be underlying issue in young adult’s attitude towards marriage. Therefore, conscientiousness trait may serve as buffer against the debilitating scars that may be left by negative childhood experiences. It is highly pertinent to investigate these moderating variables and its dimensions since they can cushion the effect of parental neglect, on attitude towards marriage. Adopting the cross sectional survey design, with elements of correlational design; a total of 966 undergraduates of public Universities in Ekiti State cutting across ages 18-28years participated in this study. Data were collected by means of standardized psychological instruments put together as a questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised General Attitudes towards Marriage Scale (GAMs), The Life Orientation Test–Revised (LOTR), The Multidimensional Neglectful Behaviour Scale (MNDS), Conscientiousness trait of the Big Five Inventory. While The Statistical Package for Social Science 20 (IBM SPSS version 20) was used to calculate descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and internal consistency reliability of measures were used to analyze the data. two hypotheses were tested through the use of structural equation modeling. Findings revealed that Parental neglect significantly predicted marital attitudes. (β = -.25, p< .001) ). An increase in parental neglect was associated with negative attitudes towards marriage. Only the covariates of gender (β = -.19, p < .001) and school (β =

.35, p < .001) were significant in the model. Being a female and a student of BUESTI predicted a positive attitude towards marriage The model explained 30% variance in attitudes towards marriage. Furthermore, Parental neglect significantly predicted marital attitudes (β = -.34, p <

.001) while the moderator, conscientiousness did not (β = -.02, p = .66). Results were discussed in line with previous literatures and it was mainly recommended that Government. Should formulate and enact law that regulates parental neglect. also, statutory bodies like the police force, Nigeria civil defense corps etc. should be made to be up to their tasks