THE INFLUENCE OF GROUP PRESSURE ON ADOLESCENTS BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS IN NIGERIA SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Description

ABSTRACT

This research work is to assess the influence of group pressure on adolescent behavioral problem, and for this study Nigerian secondary schools will be assessed. A sample size of 100 participants was randomly selected from five secondary schools in AmuwoOdofin Local Education District of Lagos State. This research will be guided with a five item Group Pressure on Adolescents Behaviour Questionnaire GPABQ, which will be administered on the sample. It was hypothesized that there is a significant influence of group pressure on behavioral problems of the adolescents, self concept, gender and parental rearing pattern. This hypothesis was accepted. It was found out that group pressure has significant impact on the variables studied.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

Adolescence is the transitory period the individual passes through in his /her growth from childhood to Adulthood. Studies have shown that the period consists of pressure which may be either internal or external to the young adult Adams, 2006 Schneider, 2010. Besides being a transitory period, they posited that it is a time of selfdefinition for the young individual.

In contemporary society, peer group influences have become increasingly pronounced and studies have shown that adolescents were more likely to increase behaviour that receives peer group approval Arnett, 1992; De Vries et al., 1995; Allen et al., 2005; Clark Loheac, 2007. Adolescents spend far more time in the exclusive company of their peers than their counter parts did in the past. Changes in the family roles that forced women into paid jobs have greatly reduced the quality time families spend together thus making peer groups a viable alternative for the young individuals Clark Loheac, 2007. Peer groups appear to answer adolescents concerns about many things including their changing bodies. According to Schneider 2010 becoming a peer group member meets many adolescents concerns about social expectations such as developing independence from their parents, learning decisionmaking skills and acting on their own. However, these young teenagers find social expectations confusing and the ways of achieving them even more challenging. Peer influence on adolescents has been reported as being shrouded in myths and fear by parents. Parents perceive peer influence as a clog in the wheel of socializing their children desirably Schneider, 2010.

According to You 2011 perceived support from peers gives adolescent students a sense of motivation which enables them to see the importance of pursuing academic success This is because adolescents who are accepted by their peers are more likely to be psychologically healthier and selfconfident than those rejected by their peers Allen et al., 2005. However, KiranEsen 2012 reported significantly negative relationship between peer pressure and selfefficacy expectation social and moral in adolescents and that academic selfefficacy was higher in adolescents who were experiencing low level of peer pressure. As such, this study seeks to investigate how peer pressure influences adolescents social behavior in secondary school students.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The outcome of this research work will be of beneficial help to adolescents among the secondary schools and beyond as it will highlight the core reasons to adolescents behavioral problems among groups in secondary schools, and how to reduce the extent at which group pressure influence adolescents behavior. The analysis and hypothesis, will tell if group pressure influence adolescents behavioral status negatively or positively.

Education policy makers, in the Ministry of Education and Sports, school administrators and members of boards of governors could use the findings of this study to make guidelines and policies to help students to be more responsible and successful in school by setting rules and guidelines prohibiting the use of alcohol in school premises.

The research will also be beneficial to the researcher. This is because the study will expose the researcher to so many related areas in the course of carrying out his research. This will enhance the researchers experience, knowledge and understanding on group pressure and its influence on adolescents.

1.5Research Question

For the course of this research work, some basic research question was formulated, for the easy assessment and understanding of this research work. Question formulated are;

To what extent does peer group pressure correlate with adolescents behavioral problems

To assess the extent of influence of peer group pressure on adolescents behavioral problems in Nigeria secondary schools

To examine whether peer pressure will influence the gender of the adolescent I.e. whether age will be an influential factor

Is there any gender difference in the extent of peer group influence on adolescents behavioral problems

1.6 Research Hypothesis

Two research hypothesis will be used in this study, the hypothesis will be tested using 0.5 degree of significance. Research hypothesis are:

HNull There is significant influence of group pressure on behavioral problems of the adolescents.

HAlt There is no significant influence of group pressure on behavioral problems of the adolescents.

HNull There is significant difference to the extent of peer group influence on adolescents behavioral problems in gender male and female.

HAlt There is no significant difference to the extent of peer group influence on adolescents behavioral problems in gender male and female.

HNull There is significant difference between peer pressure and examination malpractice.

HAlt There is no significant difference between peer pressure and examination malpractice

HNull There is significant relationship between peer group pressure on adolescents behavioral problems and sexual risk behavior.

HAlt There is no significant difference between peer group pressure on adolescents behavioral problems and sexual risk behavior.

1.7Limitation of the study

During the course of performing/researching this project work, the researcher encountered a lot of challenges as well as opposition which ranges from financial constraints, time factor, sourcing of material etc. this factors in their own ways, slowed down the speedy progress of this work that resulted to the researcher not being able to finish the research work on time as is required

1.8Definition of terms

Adolescents young people between the ages of 10 and 19 years

Influence The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.

Peer Pressure When groups or pear try to influence how one act, to get one to do something out of his well due to the pears opium.