Social support, peer pressure and alcohol use among secondary school adolescents in Masindi district

Abstract

This present study investigated the relationship between social support, peer pressure and alcohol use among secondary school adolescents in Masindi district. This report provides a full account of the study. There were 3 main objectives that is to examine the relationship between social support and peer pressure, a relationship between peer pressure and alcohol use, and a relationship between social support and alcohol use among adolescents respectively. In order to attain these objectives, a well-structured questionnaire was designed and later that administered to 97 participants who were selected randomly from the desired population with consent. The data collected was properly analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS/ PASW) using frequencies and percentages. A Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze hypothesis. Among the respondents, females were more than the males and most of them were aged between 16 and 18 years. The study found some significant results that is majority of the adolescents received social support from their friends and families and there was no relationship between social support and alcohol use. Also, the portion of adolescents who consumed alcohol was found to be minimal. However, although alcohol use was found to be little, it was found to have a multiplier effect of peer pressure as these two variables had a relationship in the study. However, there would be no need for worry as the constant positive social support adolescents receive can protect adolescents from alcohol consumption. Thus, the current study recommends that the government and school administration should provide counselling to students to avoid peer pressure and alcohol use.