Social Predictors of Female Academics’ Career Growth and Leadership Position in South-West Nigerian Universities

Abstract

This study examined the efficacy of social predictors of female academics’ career growth and leadership position in Nigerian universities. Results show that the composite effect of the social predictors are significant ( F = 37.888; p < .05). Parental influence (β = .197; p < .05) and spousal support (β = .183; p < .05) made significant contributions to career growth, while academic men attitude toward women (β = .428; p > .05), academic men collegial support (β = .419; p < .05), parental influence (β = .368; p < .05), and spousal support (β = .250; p < .05) contributed to leadership position. Parental influence ( B = −.12; t = −4.89; p < .05) and spousal support ( B = .13; t = 4.26; p < .05) predicted career growth, while academic men attitude toward women ( B = .947; t = 3.755; p < .05), academic men collegial support ( B = −1.080; t = −3.648; p < .05), parental influence ( B = −.220; t = −9.050; p < .05), and spousal support ( B = .191; t = 6.343; p < .05) predicted leadership position. The implications are that parental influence and spousal supports are essential for career growth, while all four factors are crucial for female academics’ leadership attainment.