Peer pressure is any type of influence, positive or negative, that comes from a peer group.This peer group may be of similar age (e.g., children in the same classroom) but it can also be defined by other commonalities, including motherhood, professional affiliations, and your local neighborhood.
Peer pressure occurs throughout the lifespan, but learning to cope by building self-confidence and surrounding yourself with positive influences may help prevent problems with peer pressure from arising later.
According to child and adolescent psychiatrist Akeem Marsh, MD, "it’s very easy to be influenced by peer pressure as we humans are wired as social creatures."
"For adolescents, peer relationships are the most important of all thus leading to an increased susceptibility to peer pressure."
— AKEEM MARSH, MD
Peer pressure often occurs when one or more members of your social group pressure you to behave or act in particular ways
The negative influence of the peer group is more connected to the involvement in risk behaviours, whilst the positive influence is more connected with protective behaviours.
Peer Pressure in Older Teens and Young Adults
Gender can affect how these pressures are internalized and expressed. For example, of the 29% of teens who responded they felt peer pressure to look “good,” girls were more likely than boys to say they feel a lot of pressure to look good (35% vs. 23%).
Adults are not exempted from facing societal expectations and peer judgment or influence. For example, you may carry the pressure of academic achievement into your career. You may also feel pressure to purchase items you cannot afford to maintain an image that fits into your work, social, or neighborhood environment.
Types of Peer Pressure
You can experience peer pressure from people without them saying anything to you, and you can experience it from direct remarks made by others.
Peers may strongly determine preference in the way of dressing, speaking, using illicit substances, sexual behaviour, adopting and accepting violence, adopting criminal and anti-social behaviours and in many other areas of the adolescent’s life.
An example of this is that the main motives for alcohol consumption given by adolescents are related to social events, which usually take place in the company of friends, namely: drinking makes holidays more fun, it facilitates approaching others, it helps relaxing or facilitates sharing experiences and feelings.
On the other hand, having friends allows to share experiences and feelings and to learn how to solve conflicts. Not having friends, on the other hand, leads to social isolation and limited social contacts, as there are fewer opportunities to develop new relations and social interactional skills. Friendship is also positively associated to psychological well-being (Ueno, 2004), whilst a conflicting relation with peers is negatively associated with health.
Statistical Analysis
The grading of the peer influence was done with frequency and percentage distribution, and the sub-domains of the Journal of Health and Allied sciences
rating scale to assess the peer influence were computed bymean, SD, maximum, minimum, and mean percentage. The association of peer influence with baseline variables wasexamined using the Chi-square test
A majority (92.9%) of subjects enjoyed being in the peer group. Most subject’s approachable person in their need is family and friends of 53.2% and 41.2%respectively.
Among the subjects,(50.5%) undergraduates belonged to urban and (49.5%) belonged to rural areas.The finding of the peer influence on lifestyle behaviors shows that the majority of (65.3%) undergraduates had moderate influence (29.4%) had low influence (5.0%) had a strong influence, and (0.3%)had no influence.
The most significant peer impact (79.3%) was evident inpersonality and communication, smoking and alcoholism(36.6%). Other sections with the highest mean percentageswere healthy mind (74.8%), exercising (71.1%), food choices(68.2%), buying choices (64.9%), social media (45.7%), and use of gadgets (45.7%), respectively. Similar observations were made by Kocak et al indicates that 5.97% had a statistically significant effect on eating habits.
The findings suggest a strong influence of peer pressure on various factors. Peer groups like to interact with each other and take advice on everything, which would help them get updated on the latest trends and developments world-wide.
Is Peer Pressure Always Negative?
Peer pressure is not always negative.Trying to fit into a healthy social group, for example, of peers getting good grades, joining sports teams, and making plans for their futures, is positive. Some refer to this type of peer “pressure” as peer “influence.”
What Are Examples of Positive Peer Pressure?
We tend to hear more about the potentially negative effects of peer pressure. But the reality is, peer pressure can also be positive. For instance, two friends might put positive pressure on each other to go to the gym together and stay accountable for their fitness goals.
Risks of Peer Pressure
The risks associated with peer pressure may not be immediately obvious or seem like cautionary tales, but they are serious and can have life-altering consequences.
Why Young People Are More Susceptible
Young people may be more susceptible to peer pressure because their identities are still forming; they desire to fit in and not be bullied and have less risk aversion than adults.
In addition, a combination of other age-related and developmental factors contribute to youth’s increased susceptibility to peer pressure
They may have trouble regulating their emotions.They may be more vulnerable to the effects of reward.They favor immediate over delayed prospects.
Peer Pressure vs. Parental Influence
Although parents worry about the influence of peers, overall, parents also can have a strong influence on whether children succumb to negative peer pressure.
Rather than worrying about the effects of their children's friendships, parents would do well to focus on creating a positive, supportive home environment. That way, even if your child is peer pressured to do something they don't want to do, they'll feel comfortable coming to you to talk about it first.
Role modeling good emotional self-regulation may also help your child stick to their own values when it comes to peer pressure. Self-regulation involves the ability to control thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in order to manage current behavior and achieve long-term goals.
How to Deal With Peer Pressure
Dealing with peer pressure can be difficult, but below are some ways to help address it.
Take Your Time
Instead of quickly agreeing to do something you'd rather not do, pause and take a few deep breaths. If someone is waiting for you to answer them, tell them you need to take a few days and think about it. It's easier to resist the pressure when you put some time and space between yourself and the situation.
Set Boundaries
Saying "no" can be hard, but it's necessary to set healthy boundaries in relationships. If someone persistently pressures you to do something, you can try telling them how it affects you.
For instance, you might say something like, "It upsets me when you offer me a cigarette when you know I don't smoke. I won't be able to keep hanging out with you if you don't respect my answer."
This dynamic interaction not only affects personal habits but can also set long-term health trajectories. Here's an exploration of how social circles exert their influence:
Dietary Habits
• Social Eating: Peer groups often share meals or dine out together, which can influence what, when, and how much one eats. For instance, if a group frequently opts for fast food or late-night snacks, these choices can become the norm, leading to a diet high in calories, fats, and sugars.
• Cultural and Social Norms: Friends from similar cultural backgrounds might introduce or reinforce traditional eating habits, which can be both beneficial (e.g., Mediterranean diets rich in vegetables and olive oil) or less healthy (e.g., diets high in processed meats or sweets).
Exercise and Physical Activity
• Group Activities: Engaging in sports, fitness classes, or outdoor adventures as a group can significantly boost one's commitment to regular exercise. The social aspect makes physical activity more enjoyable and less of a chore.
• Motivation and Accountability: Friends can serve as accountability partners, ensuring that one sticks to workout plans. This communal approach can be particularly effective for those who might otherwise lack motivation to exercise alone.
Sleep Patterns
• Social Schedules: Late-night socializing, whether it's parties, gaming, or simply staying up to chat, can disrupt sleep schedules. Young adults might sacrifice sleep to maintain social bonds, leading to chronic sleep deprivation.
• Shared Living Environments: In shared accommodations like dorms or apartments, the sleep habits of one can influence others. Noisy roommates or differing sleep schedules can result in compromised sleep quality.
• Cultural Attitudes: Peer groups might normalize certain behaviors around sleep, like pulling all-nighters for study or work, which can become habitual and detrimental over time.
The Broader Impact
• Mental Health: Lifestyle choices influenced by peers can impact mental health. Regular exercise with friends can reduce stress and anxiety, while poor sleep and diet might exacerbate these issues.
• Long-term Health: Patterns established in young adulthood tend to persist. Thus, the influence of peer groups on lifestyle choices can have long-lasting effects on health, from weight management to heart health.
• Identity and Self-Perception: Peer groups contribute to one's identity, including how one views their body, health, and lifestyle. This can lead to either positive self-improvement or negative self-image issues, depending on the group dynamics.
Conclusion
The influence of peer groups on lifestyle choices among young adults is profound and multifaceted. While these influences can lead to healthier habits through shared activities and mutual support, they can also steer individuals towards less optimal choices.
Understanding this dynamic is crucial for educators, health professionals, and young adults themselves to foster environments that promote well-being. Encouraging peer groups to be mindful of their collective impact can help guide young adults towards healthier lifestyles that they can carry into later life.
References
Dhull P, Beniwal RD. Dealing with peer pressure
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Pamela Rackow, Urte Scholz, Rainer Hornung. Received social support and exercising: An intervention study to test the enabling hypothesis. British Journal of Health Psychology, 2015;20(4):763. doi:10.1111/bjhp.12139
Kim J, Fletcher JM. The influence of classmates on adolescent criminal activities in the United States. Deviant Behav. 2018;39(3):275-292. doi:10.1080/01639625.2016.1269563
Widman L, Choukas-Bradley S, Helms SW, Prinstein MJ. Adolescent susceptibility to peer influence in sexual situations. J Adolesc Health. 2016;58(3):323-329. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.10.253
American Psychological Association. How to help children and teens manage their stress.