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.