Effect of Single Parenting on Personality Development of Female Undergraduates of Oou, Ago-Iwoye

Abstract

The study investigated the experience of female undergraduates (based on their personality development in terms interpersonal relationship) who were raised by a lone-mother or lone-father in Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye Ogun State, Nigeria. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of single parenting on personality development of female undergraduates. A sample of 189 participants randomly selected from 5 faculties was used.  Two valid and reliable instruments were used for data collection. Data analysis involved mean and standard deviation as descriptive statistics and Pearson product moment correlation, and multiple regression analysis as inferential statistics. The results showed that single parenting and undergraduates’ interpersonal relationship has significant positive relationship with personality factors (.567). Also, the findings revealed the effects of female undergraduates raised by single mothers, female undergraduates’ interpersonal relationship and predictor variables (personality dimensions) (R = 0.427, R² = 0.182, F = 17.489; t = 3.346); and, the effects of female undergraduates raised by single fathers, female undergraduates’ interpersonal relationship and predictor variables (personality dimensions) (R  =  .501; R² = .251; F = 23.006; T = 5.405). Results suggest that single parenting influenced the personality factors of female undergraduates in relations to their interpersonal relationship. The ability of the custodial single parent to successfully provide a nurturing environment for the children appeared to be affected by personality factors. Female undergraduates from single-parent family are having their personality development affected.

Keywords: Single parenting, personality characteristics, interpersonal relationship, female undergraduates