Emmanuel Omohoghene NWOKO

This study was carried out to examine the influence of peer pressure on the social behavior of adolescents in senior secondary schools. The study investigated the extent to which peer-related factors such as conformity, susceptibility, social expectations, family involvement, school environment, and cultural norms influence adolescent behavior during the secondary school stage. The research also examined how positive and negative forms of peer pressure shape students’ academic participation, social conduct, and decision-making patterns. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of senior secondary school students across selected schools, with a sample size of 450 adolescents drawn through stratified random sampling. The research instrument used was a structured questionnaire titled: Influence of Peer Pressure on Adolescent Social Behavior. The questionnaire was validated by experts in educational psychology and measurement evaluation.The major findings of the study revealed that peer pressure significantly influences adolescents’ behavior in school, with many students modifying their conduct to gain acceptance or avoid rejection. The findings further indicated that low self-esteem, lack of parental guidance, social media exposure, and unstable family structures increase adolescents’ susceptibility to negative peer influence. The results also showed that while negative peer pressure encourages risky and deviant behaviors, positive peer pressure promotes discipline, academic effort, and goal-setting. Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made: parents should strengthen communication and emotional support; schools should adopt peer education and mentorship programmes; guidance counselors should intensify counseling services; and government should integrate life-skills training into school curricula to help students resist negative peer influences and embrace positive ones.