Susceptibility To Peer Pressure Research Articles

Turkish high school students’ susceptibility to peer pressure as a function of religiosity, self-esteem, and autonomy

This study examined high school Turkish adolescents’ susceptibility to peer pressure across four domains (family, peer, school, and misconduct) as a function of religiosity (extrinsic/intrinsic), self-esteem, and self-perceived level of autonomy. Further analysis examined religiosity in the context of educational institutions (religious/non-religious) and its relationship with peer pressure susceptibility. A non-random convenience sampling method generated a sample of 259 students enrolled in the 9(n=168) and 11(n=89) grades at three high schools in Istanbul, Turkey, with an average age of 15.78 years (SD=1.11). A series of multiple hierarchical regression analyses and correlational analyses indicated several sex differences across domains and highlighted the importance of religiosity to understanding adolescent peer pressure susceptibility. Self-esteem was the most consistent predictor of susceptibility to peer pressure in the four domains.

STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH RISKS REGARDING SUSCEPTIBILITY TO PEER PRESSURE

Given that adolescents and young people spend most of their time in the educational system, advancements in neurodevelopmental research emphasize the important and complex role of peers’ influence on adolescents’ behaviour, suggesting that supportive programmes led by peers have a strong potential benefit (King, & Fazel, 2019). In many cases peers are the most important source of social support, and are therefore an important target group to investigate the factors of risk, signs of poor mental health and ways to assess their health behaviour and awareness of the care which should be taken regarding their mental health, as well as the resources and prevention models. The wish is to study whether there are differences regarding the mental behaviour in certain characteristics of susceptibility to peer pressure as a risk for the mental health of students of the Faculty of Educational Sciences of the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula and students of the Faculty of Teacher Education of the University of Zagreb, Division of Petrinja (N=440). The set hypothesis states that there is a statistically significant difference among students of the faculty in Pula and those in Petrinja in their assessment of certain features of peer pressure susceptibility as a possible risk for mental health. The results obtained at the x2-test showed a statistically significant difference between certain peer pressure features among students regarding their study environment linked to hanging out with peers who consume drugs and being tempted to try them, getting involved in risky behaviours if their peers ask them to, and betting or gambling because their friends also do that. The results indicate that in smaller communities social control and conformity in the students’ behaviour is more present due to their wish to fit in a peer group as well as possible, suggesting the need for strengthening the positive health behaviour of young people during their whole education in order to secure a healthy and productive adult population.

Uloga samopoštovanja i vršnjačkog pritiska u objašnjenju usamljenosti adolescenata

Glavni cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi u kojoj mjeri se usamljenost u adolescenciji možeobjasniti samopoštovanjem i vršnjačkim pritiskom. Naime, brojna istraživanja su se većinomusmjerila na bivarijatne odnose među spomenutim varijablama, te do sada na hrvatskom uzorkuadolescenata nije istovremeno provjeravan odnos usamljenosti sa samopoštovanjem i vršnjačkimpritiskom. Iako većina autora smatra da se usamljenost može javiti u svim razvojnim razdobljima,ipak se naglašava da je usamljenost tijekom adolescencije izraženija i to čak najviše u razdobljumlađi adolescencije. Uspostavljanje i održavanje zadovoljavajućih odnosa postaje prioritet, štoneadekvatne i nepodržavajuće odnose s vršnjacima čini rizičnim faktorom za pojavu usamljenosti.Osim vršnjačkih odnosa, značajnu ulogu za uspješan razvoj adolescenata ima i pozitivan stav osebi, odnosno samopoštovanje. Ranija istraživanja su pokazala da je samopoštovanje, koje opadatijekom rane adolescencije, važna odrednica usamljenosti. Stoga su uzorak ovog istraživanjačinile dvije skupine adolescenata, 200 učenika sedmih razreda osnovne škole, koji su predstavljaligrupu mlađih adolescenata, i 200 učenika četvrtih razreda srednjih škola, koji su činili skupinustarijih adolescenata. Primijenjen je upitnik koji se sastojao od tri skupine skala, Kratka verzijaUCLA skale, Revediriana skala samoprihvaćanja i samokompetentnosti te Skala podložnostivršnjačkom pritisku. Rezultati ukazuju na višu razinu usamljenosti kod mlađih adolescenata,te niže samopoštovanje, ali veću razinu podložnosti vršnjačkom pritisku u odnosu na kasneadolescente. Djevojke bez obzira na dob imaju nešto niže samopoštovanje u odnosu na mladiće,dok se razina usamljenosti značajno ne mijenja s obzirom na spol. Međutim, adolescenti suskloniji nego adolescentice rizičnom ponašanju (npr. konzumiranje opijata i rizična seksualnaponašanja) i neadekvatnom ponašanju u školi (npr. neopravdano izostajanje s nastave) podutjecajem vršnjaka. Također je za pojavu usamljenosti u adolescenciji važna negativna slika osebi, odnosno nisko samopoštovanje, te izraženija podložnost vršnjačkom pritisku. Dobivenirezultati su objašnjeni u okvirima razvojnih promjena koje čine adolescente rizičnim za pojavuusamljenosti.

Understanding the Relationships between Gender Inequitable Behaviours, Childhood Trauma and Socio-Economic Status in Single and Multiple Perpetrator Rape in Rural South Africa: Structural Equation Modelling.

BackgroundInterventions to prevent rape perpetration must be designed to address its drivers. This paper seeks to extend understanding of drivers of single and multiple perpetrator rape (referred to here as SPR and MPR respectively) and the relationships between socio-economic status, childhood trauma, peer pressure, other masculine behaviours and rape.Method1370 young men aged 15 to 26 were interviewed as part of the randomised controlled trial evaluation of Stepping Stones in the rural Eastern Cape. We used multinomial to compare the characteristics of men who reported rape perpetration at baseline. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to examine pathways to rape perpetration.Results76.1% of young men had never raped, 10.0% had perpetrated SPR and 13.9% MPR. The factors associated with both MPR and SPR (compared to never having raped) were indicators of socio-economic status (SES), childhood trauma, sexual coercion by a woman, drug and alcohol use, peer pressure susceptibility, having had transactional sex, multiple sexual partners and being physically violent towards a partner. The SEM showed the relationship between SES and rape perpetration to be mediated by gender inequitable masculinity. It was complex as there was a direct path indicating that SES correlated with the masculinity variable directly such that men of higher SES had more gender inequitable masculinities, and indirect path mediated by peer pressure resistance indicated that the former pertained so long as men lacked peer pressure resistance. Having a higher SES conveyed greater resistance for some men. There was also a path mediated through childhood trauma, such that men of lower SES were more likely to have a higher childhood trauma exposure and this correlated with a higher likelihood of having the gender inequitable masculinity (with or without the mediating effect of peer pressure resistance).DiscussionBoth higher and lower socio-economic status were associated with raping. Prevention of rape perpetration must focus on changing men’s gender ideals, entitlements and inequitable practices. Reducing poverty and adverse childhood experiences should also be of benefit.

Interaction Effects Between Exposure to Sexually Explicit Online Materials and Individual, Family, and Extrafamilial Factors on Hong Kong High School Students’ Beliefs About Gender Role Equality and Body-Centered Sexuality

This study examined the interaction effects between Hong Kong adolescents’ exposure to sexually explicit online materials (SEOM) and individual, family, peer, and cultural factors on their beliefs about gender role equality and body-centered sexuality. Based on a survey design with a sample of 503 high school students in Hong Kong, the results indicated that adolescents’ frequency of accessing SEOM, their intrapersonal reactions to SEOM, their communication with parents about sexuality, their susceptibility to peer pressure, and their acceptance of cultural values regarding sex roles work jointly to affect their conceptions of gender and sexuality, although the main and interaction effects differ across variables. The results partially supported the hypotheses that individual responses to SEOM and relationships with parents and peers with regard to sexuality interact with SEOM exposure in affecting the outcomes. The study provided evidence for the adoption of an ecological perspective to guide the provision of sexuality education.

Developmental momentum toward substance dependence: Natural histories and pliability of risk factors in youth experiencing chronic stress

BackgroundMitigation of substance use (SU) disorder (SUD) risk factors is a common goal of prevention. Research has clarified much about risk factors including their prediction of SU/SUD, associations with other etiological variables and mediation of SU outcomes. Greater understanding of the emergence of risk factors themselves may improve prevention. For example, in lieu of experimental data, the level of resistance to change of a risk factor (its pliability) could inform “dosage” of intervention needed to reduce the risk. MethodsTwo attributes of 22 previously-documented predictors of SU/SUD were quantified: natural history (average age-related trend) and pliability (quantified using correlations between intercepts and growth parameters of hierarchical linear modeling trajectories). The longitudinal sample of 1147 8- through 16-year-olds were recruited from a northeastern summer camp for youth experiencing chronic stress due to one or more stressors (X¯=2.2 stressors, SD=1.41) which typically last at least one year. Half were male, 69.3% were European-American, 8.5% were African-American, and the remaining were small proportions each of other or mixed races/ethnicities. ResultsAverage trajectories of 21 predictors correspond to increasing SUD risk with age. Predictor pliability varied greatly, ranging from extremely high for School Commitment to extremely low for Peer Pressure Susceptibility. ConclusionsResults suggest different intervention strategies may be needed to manage risk factors over the long-term. To illustrate, maintaining a high school commitment appears to require boosters whereas reducing peer pressure susceptibility appears to require high initial “dosage” with less need for boosters.

The relationship between alcohol use and peer pressure susceptibility, peer popularity and general conformity in Northern Irish school children

This cross-sectional study investigated the bivariate and more fully controlled (with socio-demographic measures) relationship between self-reported drinking behaviour and peer pressure susceptibility, desire for peer popularity and general conformity in a sample of 11–16-year-old school children in Northern Ireland. Self-reported drinking behaviour was assessed using a composite measure of drinking behaviour, the Adolescent Alcohol Involvement Scale (Mayer, J., & Filstead, W.J. (1979). The adolescent alcohol involvement scale. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 40, 291–300). Post-primary (High) schools in the Greater Belfast Area were targeted and 629 participants were recruited of whom 610 (97%) successfully completed a set of questionnaires. Bivariate and more fully controlled regression analyses revealed that problematic alcohol use was predicted by higher peer pressure susceptibility, lower desire for popularity and lower general conformity. More problematic drinking was also predicted by being in Middle versus Junior school, and by being female. Despite the suggestion that alcohol use among adolescents is normative behaviour, these results suggest that increasing levels of drinking, assessed by a composite measure are associated with the social risk factors assessed, namely greater susceptibility to peer pressure, less conformity and lower levels of desire for peer popularity.

The Illustration-Based Assessment of Liability and EXposure to Substance use and Antisocial behavior© for Children

Background/Objectives: Ontogenetic prevention of substance abuse requires that an individual's “profile” of substance abuse predictors is assessed to guide intervention decision-making (). For child intervention, self-report data provide information that cannot be obtained from other sources such as parents or teachers. However, efficient child report instruments of substance abuse risk factors are lacking. The Assessment of Liability and EXposure to Substance use and Antisocial behavior© (ALEXSA©) is an illustration-based, computerized child report assessment for early manifestations and predictors of substance abuse and antisocial behavior. Methods: Construct validity and test-retest reliabilities of ALEXSA subscales were estimated in 272 nine to twelve-year old students from regular and remedial education classrooms. Results: Anecdotal and quantitative data demonstrated that children enjoy the ALEXSA format. All factors and 34 of 39 subscales had good or better reliabilities. Nine factors were extracted: Disinhibition (example subscales are Irritability, Impulsivity), Sensation Seeking (e.g., Gambling, Social Disinhibition), Self Management (e.g., Planning and Concentration, Problem Solving), Family Discord (e.g., Family Behavior Problems, Family Conflict), Parent Fortification (e.g., Parental Monitoring, Parent Attachment), Social Contagion (e.g., Friends' Conduct Disorder Criteria, Peer Pressure Susceptibility), Social Support (e.g., Social Support: Adults, Number of Friends), Neighborhood Risks (e.g., Gang Exposure, Neighborhood Atmosphere), and School Protection (e.g., Academic Competency, School Commitment). Scientific Significance: The ALEXSA could provide efficient child reports for research, needs assessment, and outcomes to support etiology and prevention of substance abuse and antisocial behavior.

Predictors of Early Substance Use Among African American and Caucasian Youth From Urban and Suburban Communities

The deleterious effects of early substance use have been well documented. Past research has produced mixed results regarding the extent to which the profile of risk differs for urban African American and suburban Caucasian youth. Sixth graders from urban (n = 420; 92% African American) and suburban (n = 391; 89% Caucasian) schools in metropolitan Detroit completed surveys at the beginning and end of the school year. More similarities than differences were found in hierarchical multiple regression analyses predicting substance use among these two groups of students. For both groups, peer pressure susceptibility and school commitment were significantly related to substance use. For girls only, participation in after-school activities was negatively associated with substance use. The importance of prevention programs in the transition to middle school is discussed.

Structural equation model tests of patterns of family interaction, peer alcohol use, and intrapersonal predictors of adolescent alcohol use and misuse.

A survey of 1,340 students in grades six through twelve was conducted to test, in the context of structural equation models, the predictive validity of a theoretical model of antecedents of adolescent alcohol use and misuse. Constructs including parents' alcohol use, older siblings alcohol use, parents' approval of students alcohol use, older sibling approval of students alcohol use, peer use and approval of alcohol use (PUA), parental nurturance, parental permissiveness, child's grade in school, susceptibility to peer pressure (SPP), and deviant self-image, were included. The final iterations of the models accounted for more than half of the variance in both alcohol use and alcohol misuse. In a standardized solution, the two largest direct effects on both adolescent alcohol use and misuse were from SPP and PUA. When a seven item measure of SPP, including three items specific to alcohol use was used, the SPP latent variable accounted for a somewhat greater percentage of the variance in adolescent alcohol use and misuse than did the latent variable of PUA. When the three alcohol-specific items were deleted from SPP, however, PUA accounted for more variance than SPP. Other predictors, including parental behaviors, proved to be significant when their indirect effects were evaluated. Models predicting alcohol use and alcohol misuse were similar. SPP, PUA, and other significant predictors should be included in future models predicting adolescent alcohol use and misuse, as well as in future interventions targeting these behaviors. Longitudinal studies should be used to test these findings. Evaluation of prevention should include examination of possible interactions of these predictors with each other and with subject subgroup classifications.

Effects of a Take‐Home Drug Prevention Program on Drug‐Related Communication and Beliefs of Parents and Children

Five hundred and eleven fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students and their parents from six schools in northwest Arkansas participated in this study. Students were blocked on school and grade level, then assigned randomly by class to either the intervention Keep A Clear Mind (KACM) program or a waiting list control. KACM students received four weekly correspondence lessons designed to be completed at home with a parent. KACM students reported significantly less perceived peer use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana, as well as significantly less peer pressure susceptibility to experiment with cigarettes. Mothers in the KACM program reported significantly more recent and frequent communication with their children about refusing drugs, and significantly greater discussions with their children regarding how to resist peer pressure to use alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. Intervention program fathers reported significantly more communication with their children concerning how to resist peer pressure to drink alcohol and use tobacco, and significantly greater motivation to help their children avoid drug use. No significant differences were found between groups on student intentions to use drugs. These data suggest a print medium that emphasizes parent-child activities holds promise for accessing families and enhancing drug prevention communication.

Single parents, stepparents, and the susceptibility of adolescents to antisocial peer pressure.

According to a recent report, adolescents living in single-parent households are more likely to engage in deviant activity than are youngsters living with both natural parents, or in single-parent, extended households, allegedly because the presence of an additional adult provides greater control of youngsters' behavior. In the present study, fifth, sixth, eighth, and ninth graders from 1 of 3 family structures (both natural parents, mother alone, or 1 natural parent and a stepparent) were compared with respect to their susceptibility to peer pressure to engage in deviant activity. All comparisons controlled for sex, age, socioeconomic status, maternal employment, and patterns of family decision making. Youngsters living with both natural parents were less susceptible to pressure from their friends to engage in deviant behavior than youngsters living in other family structures. More important, youngsters growing up in stepfamilies--in the presence of an additional adult--were equally at risk for involvement in deviant behavior as were their peers growing up in single-parent households.

Latchkey children and susceptibility to peer pressure: An ecological analysis.

Latchkey children and susceptibility to peer pressure: An ecological analysis.