TITLE:
Student Dating and Discipline Problems in a Cameroonian University Neighbourhood: A 2016 Baseline Study
AUTHORS:
Delbert Akom Afumbom, Aishatu Fabani, Etta Roland Daru
KEYWORDS:
Student Dating, Discipline Problems, University Neighbourhoods, Cameroon, Campus Well-Being
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.10,
October
10,
2026
ABSTRACT: This study examined the association between dating practices and discipline problems among university students living in Molyko, the neighbourhood adjoining the University of Buea, Cameroon, using data collected in 2016 as a baseline for contemporary discussions of campus well-being. A cross-sectional survey was completed by 323 students, and 20 post-survey interviews provided contextual participant accounts. Dating-practice items covered cohabitation, partner communication through Facebook or WhatsApp, multiple relationships, online dating with strangers, pornography exposure, pregnancy- and abortion-related experiences, partner conflict, and financial deception involving parents. The discipline-problems measure covered absenteeism, lateness, disrespect or harassment of staff, conflict with landlords or fellow tenants, examination malpractice, fighting with dangerous objects, public smoking, participation in rebellious activities, internet malpractice, and disturbing neighbours. All analyses were complete-case analyses (N = 323). Dating-practice scores were positively and strongly associated with discipline-problem scores, r (321) = 0.68, p