Stress, peer pressure and substance aAbuse among adolescents

Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate whether there is a significant relationship between stress, peer pressure and substance Abuse among adolescents. The specific objective of the study was to examine the significant relationship between stress, Peer pressure and Substance Abuse among adolescents. The study was expected to have 100 respondents who were randomly selected from different classes at Old Kampala Secondary School. Self-administered questionnaires were used in data collection process. The data was then to be analyzed using the Statistical software package for social sciences (SPSS). Pearson’s Product moment correction coefficient was used to determine the significance of the relationships among variables. The findings showed that stress and Substance abuse are not significantly related (p=933 at r= - 008) furthermore the findings showed that peer pressure and substance abuse are negatively and insignificantly related (p=.833, r.021). However, findings show that stress and peer pressure are significantly related (p=.001, r=317). Findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between peer pressure and stress. Therefore, school management must establish and set in place policies which cater for students affected by depression. Such policies may include school counseling programs for students affected which will help in the contribution towards the reduction of the problem of depression.