Influence of Peer Group Pressure on Adolescent’s Smoking Habits
Chapter One
Objectives Of The Study
The objectives of the study are:
- To examine the effects of peer group pressure on adolescent smoking habits.
- To analyze the negative effects of smoking on adolescent’s health.
- To examine the counter-measures and their potency to smoking among adolescents.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
Precisely, the chapter will be considered in two sub-headings:
- Conceptual Framework
- Theoretical Framework
- Chapter Summary
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Adolescence
Adolescence is conceptualized as a period from dependent childhood to self sustaining adulthood. Based on this perspective, adolescence is therefore a process and not just a particular period of social changes. Psychologically, adolescence is regarded as the period when new adjustments must be made if the individual would live a normal, happy life in the society. It is the period when the individual learns to adjust to the complex series of social roles expected of him during adulthood. This learning could be done in the family, school, church, peer groups and media among others. Chronologically, the adolescent period spans from 12 years to early twenties. However, this varies from one individual to another and from culture to culture. Obidoa, and Ifelunni (2010) stated that adolescence is the period when the individual no longer depends on parents to take decisions. At this stage the individual can think about his personal ideas and handle such ideas. The individual is able to perform the following mental functions – logical reasoning, abstract thinking, increased understanding, ability to generalize facts and increased independent decision among others. Iwuama (1997) opined that teachers and counselors who understand those adolescents and their problems can do much to helping them make successful transition to adult status. From the foregoing definitions and opinions, it is obvious that adolescence refers to that period of the life span of an individual when the physiological and even sociological processes are in transition between puberty and maturity. It is the bridge between the life as a child and the life as an adult which gives the individual the opportunity to start dropping childhood behaviours and start learning the adult life style. During adolescence, new language variations, new values, standards of dress, taste in popular culture (Music, sports and films), and new interpersonal allegiances develop. Children who learned at home to be polite often find other standards applied to their behavior by their adolescent peers. Adolescents usually find it easier to bring their problem up in groups than with the therapist alone. This is because adolescents are usually more open with their peers than with adults and often discuss things among themselves that they are reluctant to talk about with an adult in a dyadic relationship (Nzewi 1996).
Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is influence that a peer group, observers or individuals exert to encourage others to change their attitudes, values or behaviours and conform to the group norms. Peer pressure is the influence of a social group on an individual. Bobbies and Elhaney, (2005) indicate that peer pressure refers to the way the people of the same social group act or believe in order to influence one another, often in negative ways.
Peer pressure is something everybody has to deal with at sometime in ones life. How successful one handles peer pressure depends to a great on the individual’s self concept and position in the world (Hardcastle, 2002). Peer pressure is defined as when people of one’s age encourages or urges him to do something or to keep off from doing something else, irrespective of the person’s desire to or not to (Ryan, 2000 in Uche, 2010). Peer pressure comprises a set of group dynamics where by a group in which one feels comfortable may override personal habits, individual moral inhibitions or idiosyncratic desires to impose a group norm of attitudes or behaviour. Peer pressure is emotional or mental force from people belonging to the same social group (such as same age grade or status) to act or behave in a manner similar to themselves. Peer pressure has a great influence on adolescent behavior and reflects young people’s desire to fit in and be accepted by others (Bern, 2010). Peer pressure is also known as peer influence, and it involves changing one’s behavior to meet the perceived expectation of others (Burns and Darling, 2002) In general, most teens confirm to peer pressure like music, clothing or hair styles. When it comes to important issues like moral values, parents still remain more influential than the peer group (Black, 2002). Peer pressure may have a positive influence and help to or motivate us to do our best. Peer pressure may also result in people doing things that may not fit with their sense of what is right and wrong (Black, 2002). Peer pressure may be influence in a number of ways: fashion choice, alcohol and smoking and other drugs use, decision to have a boy friend/girl friend, choice of who our friends, organizing and extending parties. Peer pressure may be pressure in the work place, at school or within the general community. It can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Research such as peer cluster theory (Danish, 1993) has shown that peer pressure has a much greater impact on adolescent behavior than any other factor.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried out on to investigate the influence of peer group pressure on adolescent smoking habits in some selected secondary schools in Ifako Ijaiye, Local Government area of Lagos State. The population of the study is therefore comprises selected secondary schools in Ifako Ijaiye, Local Government area of Lagos State but limited to students in SS2 class.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of one hundred and seventy (170) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which one hundred and fifty (150) were returned and all were validated. For this study a total of 150 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Introduction
This chapter summarizes the findings on the influence of peer group pressure on adolescent smoking habits in some selected secondary schools in Ifako Ijaiye, Local Government area of Lagos State. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.
Summary of the Study
In this study, our focus was onthe influence of peer group pressure on adolescent smoking habits in some selected secondary schools in Ifako Ijaiye, Local Government area of Lagos State. The study is was specifically set to; examine whether there will be any influence of peer group pressure on adolescent smoking habit, examine whether there will be any societal influence on adolescent smoking habit, examine whether there will be any influence of government on adolescent smoking habit, and examine whether there will be any influence of school in adolescent smoking habit.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 150 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are SS2 students from the selected secondary schools in Ifako Ijaiye, Local Government area of Lagos State.
Conclusions
In the light of the analysis carried out, the following conclusions were drawn.
- Peer group pressure influence adolescents’ smoking habit.
- There is a significant societal influence on adolescents’ smoking habits
- There is a significant influence of government on adolescents smoking habits.
- There is no significant school influence on adolescents’ smoking habits.
Recommendation
The following recommendations were proffered with respect to the findings of the study;
- Students should know that only hard work produces success in life and try harder of their school work in order to achieve success and become responsible citizens worthy of emulation by others, not to interfere with smoking or bad gang that will result to frustration and difficulty in fulfilling ethic of the society.
- Educational and interventional programs that could be implemented at either a school-based or community level should come to control the tobacco epidemic among young age group population.
- The school administrators should develop, implement and regularly review, in consultation with the school community and governing council, a school behavioural code which is consistent with the Tobaccosmoking policies.
- Parents and guardians should ensure that they are close to their children as much as possible and notify school staff of behaviour change in these children. They should inform school of health issues and any other matter of relevance.
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