Influence of Self-Control and Parenting Style on Undergraduates’ Involvement in Cybercrime in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study aims to examine the influence of self-control and parenting style on involvement in cybercrime among undergraduates in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and was conducted within academic settings, precisely Lagos State University, Ojo and the University of Lagos, Akoka. A total of five hundred (500) undergraduates were selected by the researcher for the study using a convenience sampling technique. 54.4% male and 65.1% female within the age of 18-30. Four hypotheses were stated and tested using simple linear regression, one-way ANOVA, independent t-test and multiple regression. The result revealed that there was a significant negative influence of self-control on involvement in cybercrime, and parenting style significantly influenced involvement in cybercrime. Post-hoc analysis revealed that undergraduates under permissive parenting significantly reported likelihood of being more involved in cybercrime behaviour than those under authoritative and authoritarian parenting. Sex has a significant influence on involvement in cybercrime, such that male undergraduates scored significantly higher on involvement in cybercrime behaviour than their female counterparts. Lastly, self-control and parenting styles jointly predicted involvement in cybercrime. The predictor variable accounted for 47% of involvement in cybercrime behaviour. In addition, self-control and parenting styles had a significant independent influence on involvement in cybercrime behaviour. The study concluded by recommending that programs should be organised to boost adolescents’ low self-control and that parents should take their time and engage their adolescents as well as provide necessary parental support for them.