The marites: Level of gossiping among social sciences students in Private Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

This quantitative study entitled, The Marites: Level of Gossiping among Social Sciences Students in Private Higher Education Institutions, utilized a descriptive-survey research design to assess gossiping levels among students in private higher education institutions for the academic year 2024-2025. The study examined gossiping behavior in relation to sex, self-esteem, socialization, and mobile phone exposure. A total of 260 respondents from the BS Psychology and AB Political Science and Public Administration programs were randomly selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected and analyzed using reliable and validated instruments, including the Tendency to Gossip Questionnaire (TGQ), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Culture Orientation Scale (COS). Statistical analyses, including t-tests, ANOVA, and a post hoc test, were conducted using SPSS software. Findings showed that most respondents were female, had average self-esteem, identified as individualists, and used their phones for 7-12 hours daily. Overall, respondents seldom gossip, with no significant differences based on sex and self-esteem. However, socialization orientation influenced gossiping levels, as individualists engaged in gossip more frequently than collectivists. Mobile phone usage also showed some variation, with those using their phones for 13 or more hours daily gossiping more. Statistical analysis confirmed that while sex, self-esteem, and mobile phone exposure did not significantly affect gossiping, socialization orientation did, with individualists gossiping more than collectivists. These findings suggest that while gossiping remains a regulated social function, socialization plays a key role in its prevalence.