INFLUENCE OF PEER PRESSURE ON ADOLESCENTS’ MISBEHAVIOUR AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OSOGBO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OSUN STATE

Abstract

The continuous students’ misbehavior necessitates careful consideration because there are several different pressures leading to adolescent misbehavior at school. One of the contributing factors is peer pressure among students. This study therefore, identifies that there is need to investigate the influence of peer pressure on adolescents’ misbehavior among secondary school students. A sample of two hundred (200) students from ten (10) secondary schools (5 public and 5 private) were randomly selected from Oshogbo Local Government Area of Osun State in Nigeria. An instrument titled Peer Pressure and Adolescent Misbehavior Questionnaire (PPAMQ) was used for data collection. The results showed that adolescent misbehavior is prevalent among secondary school students and peer group negatively influence adolescent misbehavior. Statistically there was no significant difference on the influence of peer pressure on adolescents’ misbehavior based on school type and gender. (t = 2.06, df = 198, p < 0.05) and (t = 2.06, df = 198, p < 0.05). Within the limitations of the findings of this study, it is hereby recommended that school counsellors need to understand: adolescents’ misbehavior in the context of school type, in order to reduce the rate of adolescents’ misbehavior in school. Students should also be educated on the negative implications of adolescent misbehavior and strict disciplinary measures should be meted out to students identified with adolescent misbehavior