SOCIAL DEMAND,

This study examined the influence of social demand, peer pressure, and economic stability on the behavioural patterns of secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, and a sample of two hundred students was selected through a random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, and the reliability of the instrument was confirmed using Cronbach’s Alpha, which indicated a high level of internal consistency. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, multiple regression analysis, and independent samples t test. The findings showed that social demand significantly influences students’ behavioural patterns, indicating that expectations from parents, teachers, and the community shape their behavioural responses. Peer pressure was also found to significantly affect students’ behaviour, suggesting that adolescents conform strongly to the influence of
their peers. The study further revealed that economic stability relates positively to behavioural patterns, showing that students from more financially stable households exhibit more positive behavioural responses. The combined analysis indicated that social demand, peer pressure, and economic stability jointly predict students’ behavioural patterns, accounting for 81.7 percent of the variance. The study also found no sex based differences in the influence of the three factors on behaviour. It was concluded that behavioural patterns among secondary school students are shaped by social, peer, and economic contexts, and that interventions should address these factors collectively. Recommendations were made for schools to manage social expectations, strengthen peer mentoring, support economically disadvantaged students, and enhance counselling services to promote positive behavioural outcomes.