Peer-group pressure as a contributory factor to alcohol abuse among learners in selected high schools in QwaQwa (RSA)
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Date
2001
Authors
Lebitso, Mokete Christopher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether peer-group pressure is a major contributory factor to alcohol abuse among learners in selected high schools in QwaQwa. Five hundred (500) high school adolescents participated in the study. Participants were randomly selected from ten high schools (six public day schools, a private day school, and three boarding schools) all of which were co-educational. Questionnaires were used to collect data. The respondents were required to indicate by means of"Yes" or "No" responses whether they agreed with the statements on the questionnaire that peer-pressure among high school adolescents influence alcohol abuse. The data were then analyzed using chi-square. The results of the study indicate/reveal that: 1. Peer-pressure was perceived as a major influence in alcohol abuse by adolescent high school learners in QwaQwa. 2. Male adolescents felt more influenced by peer-pressure to abuse alcohol than their female counterparts. 3. There was no statistically significant difference between day and boarding school learners with regard to their opinions on the influence of peer-pressure on alcohol abuse. 4. There was no statistically significant difference between urban and rural learners with regard to their opinions on the influence of peer-pressure on alcohol abuse. In summary this study among others, recommends the following: 1. Schools and social agencies should establish intervention programmes for preadolescents with low social skills or aggressive tendencies. Addressing these problems before adolescence would decrease the chances of adolescents joining anti-social peer groups that would reinforce their problem behaviours. 2. A drastic overhaul of adolescent high school learners' mindset should be re-oriented. Peerpressure can also be positive. Therefore, adolescents must be encouraged to make informed decisions about their lives. 3. Further research in adolescent peer-pressure and alcohol abuse especially in areas not covered in this study, is recommended.
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Keywords
Dissertation (M.Ed (Psychology))--University of the Free State, 2001, Youth -- Alcohol use, Peer pressure in adolescence, Adolescent psychology -- South Africa -- Qwaqwa