High Peer Pressure Research Articles

One-way or Two-way Arrow?: A Bidirectional Relationship Between Adolescent's Social Media Use and Peer Pressure and the Gender Difference

Social media is a powerful tool and platform for the public to interact and exchange ideas and information. Its impact on adolescents is evident everywhere, and many researchers have made social media and adolescents a research topic. However, the relationship between teens using social media and peer pressure remains unclear. This review examined the specific relationships between the use of social media and peer pressure received by adolescents, including whether there is a gender-specific relationship. After organizing and summarizing previous studies, the results showed that social media use and peer pressure are positively correlated among adolescents and no gender-specific was found. This finding can be used to predict the social media usage of adolescents under high peer pressure and the level of peer pressure experienced by adolescents who frequently use social media. Since this study only is a review, the study's conclusions still need more quantitative research methods like experiments to prove.

Relationship of Peer Pressure and Emotional Intelligence with Mental Well Being among Young Adults

This study focuses on the connections between peer pressure, emotional intelligence (EI), and mental well-being in youthful grown-ups. Findings reveal a significant negative correlation between peer pressure and mental well-being (r= -.234, p < .05), indicating that higher peer pressure is associated with lower mental well-being. Conversely, a significant positive correlation is observed between emotional intelligence and mental well-being (r= .565, p < .01), suggesting that greater emotional intelligence is linked to enhanced mental well-being. However, no significant correlation is found between peer pressure and emotional intelligence (r= -0.003, p > .05). These results highlight the detrimental impact of peer pressure on mental well-being and underscore the beneficial role of emotional intelligence in fostering mental well-being.

I’m sexy and I know it: Exploring the moderating role of sexual motivations in the relationship between sexual self-esteem and sexual functioning in Israeli adults

ABSTRACT This study investigated the relationship between sexual self-esteem and sexual functioning while exploring the moderating role of sexual motives, thereby contributing to a deeper comprehension of factors that affect sexual well-being. The study used a convenience sample of 781 Israeli adults with a mean age of 31.2. Participants completed the sexual self-esteem subscale of the Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index (for women), International Index of Erectile Function (for men), and Sexual Motives Scale, which assesses motives of self-enhancement, intimacy, self-affirmation, coping, partner approval, and peer pressure. A moderation model examined the role of these sexual motives in the association between sexual self-esteem and sexual functioning. The analysis indicated that higher sexual self-esteem and motivation for intimacy and enhancement were associated with better sexual functioning. The study also revealed that participants’ motivation for partner approval and peer pressure moderated the association between sexual self-esteem and sexual functioning. Participants with low motivation for partner approval showed an association between higher sexual self-esteem and greater sexual function, while participants with high motivation for partner approval did not show this association. For peer pressure, the association between higher sexual self-esteem and greater sexual function was strongest for participants who experienced high peer pressure as a sexual motive. Higher sexual self-esteem was associated with better sexual functioning, regardless of peer pressure level, but the association was stronger for participants experiencing high peer pressure. The study results shed light on the connection between sexual self-esteem, sexual motivations, and sexual functioning. Clinically, interventions for addressing sexual functioning should consider both self-esteem and sexual motivations.

Meta-Analysis: Factors Related with Premarital Sexual Behavior in Adolescents

Background: Premarital sexual behavior is a sexual activity carried out before marriage. Premarital sexual behavior is a health priority in adolescents because it causes unwanted pregnancies, abortions, STIs, HIV/AIDS and even death. Parents, peers, community environment, economic and cultural conditions influence premarital sexual behavior. This study aims to analyze the effect of peers, smoking behavior, alcohol consumption, exposure to pornography and rural areas on premarital sexual behavior in adolescents. Subjects and Method: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of study articles. Data obtained from databases including Google Schoolar, Pubmed and Science Direct. Article search was carried out by considering eligibility criteria with the PICO model. Population: adolescents. Intervention: high peer pressure, smoking behavior, alcohol consumption, exposure to pornography, and rural areas. Comparation: low peer pressure, non-smoking, no alcohol consumption, no exposure to pornography, and urban areas. Outcome: premarital sexual behavior. The articles were collected with keywords including "Peer Pressure" AND "Smoking" AND "Alcohol Compsumtion" AND "Pornography Exposure" AND "Rural" OR "Premarital Sexual Behavior" AND "Cross Sectional Study". Study articles were collected with PRISMA flow diagrams and analyzed using Review Manager 5.3 application. Results: The results of the meta-analysis indicated that adolescents were influenced by premarital sexual behavior in the presence of high peer pressure (aOR= 3.57; CI95%= 1.38 to 9.26; p<0.001), smoking behavior (aOR= 1.17; CI95%= 0.63 to 2.16; p<0.001), alcohol consumption (aOR=2.11; CI95%=1.34 to 3.33; p<0.001), and exposure to pornography (aOR= 2.43; CI95%= 1.44 to 4.09; p<0.001). Conclusion: Adolescent premarital sexual behavior increases with high peer pressure, smoking, alcohol consumption, and exposure to pornography. Keywords: premarital sexual behavior, peer pressure, adolescent. Correspondence: Aktif Cahyaning Tyas. Master’s Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta, 57126, Central Java, Indonesia. Email: aktifctyas@gmail.com. Mobile: +628231-4866643.

Micronutrient intake and associated factors among school adolescent girls in Meshenti Town, Bahir Dar City Administration, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020.

Adolescent girls have a greater nutrient demand and their poor dietary intake is associated with micronutrient deficiencies and poor maternal outcomes. Having information on micronutrient intake inadequacy in adolescent girls is critical for promoting healthy behavior and breaking the cycle of intergenerational malnutrition. Thus, this study assessed overall micronutrient intake inadequacy and associated factors among school adolescent girls in Meshenti town of Bahir Dar City Administration, North West Ethiopia. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 401 adolescent girls from February 7 to 23, 2020. A Simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. A multiple-pass 24-hour dietary recall with portion size estimation method and recommended dietary allowance cut-off point were used to assess micronutrient intake inadequacy. Overall micronutrient intake inadequacy was measured using the mean adequacy ratio. Nutrient databases were developed by ESHA FOOD PROCESSOR version 8.1 software. Data were entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify determinants of overall micronutrient intake inadequacy and an adjusted odds ratio at a p-value of less than 0.05 was used to see the strength of statistical association. The prevalence of overall micronutrient intake inadequacy was 44.4% (95% CI: 39.7%-49.6%). Early adolescent age (AOR: 2.75, 95% CI: 1.71-4.42), food-insecure household (1.74, 95%CI: 1.087-2.784), low dietary diversity score (AOR = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.35-5.92), and high peer pressure on eating and body concern (AOR = 1.853, 95% CI: 1.201-2.857) were significantly associated factors with overall micronutrient intake inadequacy. Findings of this study revealed that micronutrient intake inadequacy among adolescent girls was a high public health problem in the study area. Therefore, attention should be given to adolescent girls of the study area, especially the ones in the early adolescent age. Interventions should also focus on nutrition-sensitive activities to address food insecurity, a less diversified diet, and the negative impact of peer influence.

PEER PRESSURE AND GENDER DETERMINE STRESS AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Adolescence is a stage of development and multiple changes as well as personal and social changes are experienced in all aspects of individual’s life. The purpose of this research paper was to study the effect of peer pressure on stress of adolescents. For this purpose 120 subjects were selected from Meerut and Modinagar Distt (U.P). There were two groups according the level of peer pressure i.e. high peer pressure and low peer pressure. In each group there were 60 subjects, further each group was again consisted of two groups of gender there were 30 male and 30 female. Peer pressure was measured with the help of peer pressure scale constructed by Singh and Saini (2010) and stress was measured by student stress scale constructed by Akhtar (2011). A 2×2 factorial design was used in the study. On the basis of obtained results it was found that peer pressure have significant effect on stress of adolescents whereas gender has no significant effect on stress of adolescents. The interaction between peer pressure and gender was also found significant.

Longitudinal associations among peer pressure, moral disengagement and cyberbullying perpetration in adolescents

Peer pressure is considered one of the top reasons adolescents participate in various risk behaviors, but the mechanism of peer pressure and adolescents' cyberbullying perpetration is unclear. The current study examined the longitudinal associations between peer pressure and adolescents' cyberbullying perpetration across three years, taking into account moral disengagement as a potential mediator and family socioeconomic status and gender as moderators of the associations. A sample of 2407 Chinese adolescents (Mage at baseline = 12.75 years) completed measurements of peer pressure, cyberbullying perpetration, moral disengagement, and family socioeconomic status at 3-time points with 1-year intervals. The results showed that peer pressure directly predicted subsequent cyberbullying perpetration. Cyberbullying perpetration at time 1 significantly predicted peer pressure and moral disengagement at time 2 only. Moral disengagement played a mediating role between peer pressure and cyberbullying perpetration across time. The relation between peer pressure and moral disengagement was more robust for adolescents with low family socioeconomic status than those with high family socioeconomic status. Compared to boys, girls who experienced high peer pressure at previous time points were more likely to have high peer pressure at subsequent time points. These findings provide a new scientific basis for the intervention of adolescents' cyberbullying perpetration.

Local Majority-with-inertia Rule Can Explain Global Consensus Dynamics in A Network Coordination Game

We study how groups reach consensus by varying communication network structure and individual incentives. In 342 networks of seven individuals, single opinionated “leaders” can drive decision outcomes, but do not accelerate consensus formation, whereas conflicting opinions slow consensus. While networks with more links reach consensus faster, this advantage disappears under conflict. Unopinionated individuals make choices consistent with a local majority rule combined with “inertia” favouring their previous choice, while opinionated individuals favour their preferred option but yield under high peer or time pressure. Simulations show these individual rules can account for group patterns, and allow rapid consensus while preventing deadlocks.

Teacher–student relationship and adolescents’ bullying perpetration: A moderated mediation model of deviant peer affiliation and peer pressure

Although teacher–student relationship has been shown to be associated with bullying perpetration, little is known about the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relationship. The present study investigated (a) the mediating effect of deviant peer affiliation in the relationship between teacher–student relationship and bullying perpetration and (b) the moderating effect of peer pressure in the relationship between deviant peer affiliation and bullying perpetration. Our theoretical model was examined with 2407 Chinese adolescents. Participants completed questionnaires regarding teacher–student relationship, bullying, deviant peer affiliation, and peer pressure. After controlling for gender and age, teacher–student relationship was significantly negatively associated with bullying perpetration. Mediation analysis indicated that deviant peer affiliation partially mediated the relation between teacher–student relationship and bullying perpetration. Moderated mediation analysis further revealed that the relationship between deviant peer affiliation and bullying perpetration was moderated by peer pressure. Specifically, for adolescents with high peer pressure, the relationship between deviant peer affiliation and bullying perpetration became much stronger. These results can contribute to design effective interventions aimed at preventing and reducing adolescents’ bullying perpetration.

Gender-specific responses to multifaceted factors associated with disordered eating among adolescents of 7th to 9th grade

BackgroundThe prevalence of disordered eating is increasing among adolescents in Asia. The prevalence and predictors of disordered eating in boys have often gone unrecognized. This study examined gender-specific responses to multifaceted factors associated with disordered eating, including personal, behavioral, family, and school-related characteristics.MethodsAfter excluding responses with incomplete information, a sample of 729 adolescents (48.97% boys) between the ages of 13 and 16 were surveyed through convenience sampling from 37 classrooms in three junior high schools in New Taipei City of Taiwan were analyzed. The Eating Attitudes Test-26 questionnaire was used to identify disordered eating.ResultsNo difference in the prevalence of disordered eating between the genders was found. Adolescent girls exhibit a preoccupation with fatness and a desire to be thinner, whereas boys are more likely to engage in extreme dieting behaviors such as vomiting, keeping the stomach empty, and avoiding sweets. Girls engaging in disordered eating reported relatively high levels of interpersonal stress involving family member weight-teasing, low peer acceptance, and high peer pressure to control weight. High intensity of regular exercise was found in girls with disordered eating. The perception of body weight is a more critical factor of engaging in disordered eating for boys than girls. Adolescents with immigrant parents were associated with disordered eating among both genders.ConclusionsChanging gender-specific weight-related norms in schools and families is essential to reduce the prevalence of disordered eating, particularly among girls. Future studies using representative samples to confirm this study’s findings are warranted.

An insight into the childhood obesity and importance of lifestyle counselling on obesity status

Background: Obese children also suffer from emotional, mental, and social trauma. Obese children are seen to have depression and very low self-esteem. Also, such children are teased by society and have high peer pressure. Additionally, obesity and overweight pose a high burden on the health care system. Aims: The present trial was carried out to document the efficacy of counselling about physical activity, nutrition, and weight on obese children of low socioeconomic status. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 48 children and was based on the questionnaire on the lifestyle modification and counselling sessions with questions based on healthy habits and physical exercise. Associated comorbidities such as asthma or diabetes were also asked along with their treating paediatrician. The collected data were subjected to statistical evaluation and the results were formulated. Results: Counselling for nutrition, physical activity, and weight were provided to study participants and the results showed that 80% (n=12) obese, 66.6% (n=6) overweight, and 58.3% (n=14) healthy subjects received counselling for nutrition. In male participants 61.53% (n=16), 69.23% (n=18), and 65.38% (n=17) respectively were counselled for nutrition, physical activity, and weight. Similarly, in females 68.18% (n=15), 63.63% (n=14), and 63.63% (n=14) respectively were counselled for nutrition, physical activity, and weight. Regarding diabetics in the study (n=2), all the subjects were counselled for weight, nutrition, as well as physical activity. In subjects with asthma, the counselling for nutrition, physical activity, and weight was given to 63.6% (n=7), 54.5% (n=6), and 54.5% (n=6) respectively. Conclusion: The present study concludes that overweight and obese children do not get more counselling sessions compared to their healthy peers. There is a need for more interactions at home and more reinforcement of counselling sessions in the school curriculum with special emphasis on overweight and obese children regarding their nutrition, physical activity, and weight.

Drunken driving and riding with a drunken driver: adolescent types at higher risk

The leading cause of death of adolescents in developed countries is injury. Alcohol is a major contributor to adolescent injury. Most of the injury deaths in youth are caused by traffic crashes. Driving under the influence (DUI) and riding with a driver who is under the influence (RUI) of alcohol increase the risk of road crash. The focus of this study is how adolescents’ risk of DUI and RUI differ in relation to their experience of parental control and peer pressure to substance use, other risky behaviours and leisure time activities. The analyses are based on data from the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs collected from 15- to 16-year-old Finnish adolescents in 2015 (n = 4049, response rate 88.7%). The study shows that problems tend to entangle in some adolescent groups in which DUI and RUI are also more common. Adolescents with higher probability of using various substances, of starting alcohol use at young age, of experiencing weak parental control, and high peer pressure are at higher risk of DUI and RUI. The results indicate that professionals and authorities handling underage DUI and RUI ought to consider adolescents’ situation as a whole.

Relationship between early menarche, obesity, and disordered eating behaviors: a school-based cross-sectional survey in Northern Saudi Arabia.

BackgroundObesity and disordered eating (DE) behaviors are serious health concerns, regularly observed among female adolescents, which could progress to adverse psychological and nutritional sequels.AimThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and the self-reported DE behaviors among high school female students and to evaluate their self-perception of body image, peer pressures, and need for dietary consultation.MethodsThis is a school-based cross-sectional study conducted in 2018. Self-administered surveys and anthropometric measurements were obtained from adolescent females, randomly selected from eight schools in northern Saudi Arabia. Sample characteristics were age, menarche, and DE behaviors (binge eating, self-induced vomiting, and usage of laxatives). Body mass index was converted to percentiles using the age-to-gender scale. Self-perception of body image, perceived peer pressures, and the Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) were scored, summated, and then presented in percentage mean scores (PMSs) and mean scores (MSs).ResultsSample comprised 399 participants. One hundred twenty-eight (32.1%) participants reported early age of menarche (≤12 years). Sixty-five (16.3%) participants reported the prevalence of overweight/obesity, 123 (30.8%) participants reported binge eating, 28 (7.0%) participants reported self-induced vomiting, and 21 (5.3%) participants reported usage of laxatives. The PMS of self-perception of body weight and peer pressure was 68.7±27.1 and 41.9±23.5, respectively. One hundred ninety-two (48.1%) participants needed professional dietary help. Students with early age of menarche were 1.7 times more likely to be overweight/obese (adjusted [adj] P=0.018) compared to others. Overweight/obese participants had significantly poorer self-perception of body image (PMS =47.4±25.0) and higher perceived peer pressure (PMS =49.5±23.1) compared to underweight/normal weight students (PMS =72.8±25.6 [P<0.001] and PMS =40.5±23.3 [P=0.005], respectively). Participants with early age of menarche complained of higher perceived peer pressure compared to others (P=0.045). Participants with DE behaviors had higher peer pressure (PMS =46.8±23.5) and higher scores on E-26 (MS =22.2±11.4) compared to their counter groups (P=0.002 and 0.016, respectively).ConclusionThe high rate of overweight/obesity and DE behaviors among female adolescents is alarming. Special consideration should be made for those with early menarche who were more prone to overweight/obesity.

Influence of Peer Pressure and Self-Efficacy for Alcohol Self-Regulation on Chinese University Physical Education Students’ Drinking Behaviors

This study examined peer group influence on university student drinking in China and the indirect effects of peer pressure and self-efficacy for alcohol self-regulation. A total of 951 undergraduate university students (first, second and third year) from a university in central China completed questionnaires asking about perceived peer pressures, self-efficacy for alcohol self-regulation, and drinking frequency. Analysis of their answers showed that the drinking frequency among physical education (PE) students was higher than among the comparison group (History students). The PE students perceived greater peer pressure, and had lower self-efficacy for alcohol self-regulation, both of which contributed directly to drinking frequency. Path analysis indicated indirect effects of peer pressure and self-efficacy for alcohol self-regulation on the association between peer group membership and drinking frequency. This suggested that skills training to increase self-efficacy for alcohol self-regulation in culturally-specific settings have the potential to both directly and indirectly lower drinking rates in peer groups with high peer pressure and higher than normal drinking.

Association between exposure to sexually explicit content in the electronic media and sexual intentions of in-school adolescents in Southwest Nigeria.

Many adolescents are exposed to a significant amount of sexual content in the media. This has far-reaching effects on their sexual practices as this exposure is occurring at a period when most adolescents are often not sure of the choices to make, and the choices they make during adolescence affect their health when they become adults. The aim of this study was to assess the association between exposure of in-school adolescents to sexual content in the electronic media and their sexual intentions. In this cross-sectional study, information was obtained from 750 senior secondary school students in private and public schools using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Sexual media content in the movies, music video and Internet was assessed using a modified version of the sexual media diet tool. The dependent variable was sexual intention; the main independent variable was exposure to sexually explicit content in the media and confounders that were controlled for selected individual (age, sex, religiosity, self-esteem and attachment to parents), family (parents' marital status, parents' type of marriage, hands-on parenting and parent-adolescent communication on sex) and environmental factors (school connectedness and influence from peers) which were previously reported to be associated with sexual intentions of adolescents. Chi-square test was used to determine associations between sexual content of the electronic media and adolescents' sexual intentions, and confounders were controlled for using logistic regression analysis. Thirty-six percent of respondents were exposed to overtly explicit sexual content from all forms of media in the 3 months prior to this study. Twenty-four percent of the adolescents indicated their intention to have sex within 12 months following the study. Predictors of sexual intention were as follows: moderate [odds ratio, OR=2.21 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.22-3.99)] and high exposure to sexual content in the media [OR=3.02 (95% CI: 1.69-5.43]; attending a public school [OR=2.19 (95% CI: 1.26-3.83)]; moderate peer pressure [OR=2.36 (95% CI: 1.41-3.95)] and high peer pressure [OR=10.32 (95% CI: 2.94-36.31)]; and previous history of sexual intercourse [OR=3.89 (95% CI: 2.25-6.76)]. Many adolescents were exposed to sexually explicit content in the media and this had a strong association with sexual intention. Interventions to censor sexually explicit content in the media are required to protect adolescents from the consequences of early exposure to sex.

Antecedents of Chinese adolescents’ purchase intention for local brands: the moderating influence of materialistic values

Purpose This study aims to examine factors affecting Chinese adolescents’ purchase intention for local brands; this study focuses on the effects of perceived social status value and materialistic values. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical model relating perceived social status value of brands to purchase intention, including materialistic values as a moderator, was developed and tested, using a sample of 587 Chinese adolescent respondents. Another experimental study examined the variability of the moderation of materialistic values across different levels of peer pressure in a product usage occasion. Findings Perceived social status value associated with local and foreign brands significantly influences purchase intention for local brands. Moreover, influence of perceived social status value of local versus foreign brands on local brand purchase intention is greater for materialistic adolescents. Additionally, the moderation of materialistic values is found in a product usage occasion with high peer pressure, but not in an occasion with low peer pressure. Research limitations/implications The findings show that perceived social status value associated with brands shapes purchase intention for local brands. The moderating effect of materialistic values is complex and suggests further research. The study’s scope is limited to Chinese adolescents. Practical implications The findings provide understanding of the drivers of purchase intention, and thus serve as a guideline for Chinese firms and foreign marketers seeking to enter the growing Chinese market, as well as consumer educators in China. Originality/value This study contributes to the limited empirical research into the factors shaping country-of-origin effects. Moreover, the findings suggest the need to consider the moderating role of materialistic values on purchase intention for local brands.

Predictors of multiple concurrent and multiple sexual partnerships among male and female youth aged 18–24 in South Africa

This study aimed to determine predictors of multiple concurrent and multiple sexual partnerships among South African male and female youth. Data were from a cross-sectional population-based household survey of 3 123 youths aged 18 to 24 years from four South African provinces (males = 53.6%, blacks = 97.8%). Results from a sub-sample of being sexually active in the past 12 months (n = 1787) indicate that 5.3% (7.1% in males and 3.1% in females) youth participants had multiple concurrent sexual partners, and 38.8% (50.1% in males and 25.8% in females) had had two or more sexual partners in the past 12 months. Among females, multiple concurrent partnerships were only predicted by lower social network resources. Predictors of multiple sexual partnerships (two or more sexual partners in the past 12 months) among males included high HIV risk perception, never been tested for HIV and hazardous or harmful alcohol use. By contrast, among females, high peer pressure, lower education and ever having taken drugs predicted involvement with multiple sexual partners. Multi-level health promotion interventions are indicated for sexual behaviour change among South African youth.

Consumer characteristics and the use of social networking sites

Purpose – This study examined the antecedents and consequences of intensity of SNS use in a cross-cultural context. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impacts of three IT-related consumer characteristics – privacy concern, consumer innovativeness and propensity to share information – on the use of social networking sites (SNS) and examine if there are cross-national differences in the relationships between consumer characteristics and SNS use. Design/methodology/approach – The authors developed and tested a structural equation model including consumer characteristics related to SNS usage, by using survey data of 977 SNS users in Korea and the US. Findings – Consumer innovativeness, propensity to share information and privacy concern affected intensity of SNS use and the usage of SNS enabled social capital. In addition, the effects of innovativeness and privacy concern on the intensity of SNS use were greater in the US sample than in the Korean sample. People in the culture of high peer pressure a...

Empowering management of a multi-section, basic engineering course with cloud storage

Cloud storage was used by lecturers for resource sharing and course management in a multi-section, mathematically intensive, basic engineering course. The storage allowed effortless desktop and mobile resource sharing between lecturers such that documents were readily accessed at any place and any time as well as reduced and decentralised workload in document management. Quizzes and exams could be set up more efficiently with feedbacks from other lecturers in a virtual group setting. The unexpected benefits included more efficient chance meetings as detailed management information was readily available, as well as a higher peer pressure among lecturers for exam settings and marking deadlines. Cloud storage also provided a supplemental channel of file distribution to students for very large files, particularly video clips. The keys to success in this adoption of more mobile learning and management were the underlying cooperation and leadership within the course management. Wide-scale adoptions could be facilitated by knowledge management activities with proven adoption model and user champions.

Smoking Stage Relations to Peer, School and Parental Factors among Secondary School Students in Kinta, Perak

To identify the prevalence of different stages of smoking and differences in associated risk factors. Thos longitudinal study started in February 2011 and the subjects were 2552 form one students aged between twelve to thirteen years of from 15 government secondary schools of Kinta, Perak. Data on demographic, parental, school and peer factors were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. We examined the effects of peer, school and parental factors on the five stages of smoking; never smokers, susceptible never smokers, experimenters, current smokers and ex-smokers, at baseline. In the sample, 19.3% were susceptible never smokers, 5.5% were current smokers 6% were experimenters and 3.1% were ex-smokers. Gender, ethnicity, best friends' smoking status, high peer pressure, higher number of relatives who smoked and parental monitoring were found to be associated with smoking stages. Presence of parent-teen conflict was only associated with susceptible never smokers and experimenters whereas absence of home discussion on smoking hazards was associated with susceptible never smokers and current smokers. We identified variations in the factors associated with the different stages of smoking. Our results highlight that anti-smoking strategies should be tailored according to the different smoking stages.