Peer pressure, stress and substance abuse among the youth in Katanga slum

Abstract

The major purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between peer pressure, stress and substance abuse among the youth in Katanga slum. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the relationship between peer pressure and stress, establish the relationship between peer pressure and substance abuse and to examine the relationship between stress and substance abuse. The study adopted quantitative and correlation research design because it is a specific type of non-experimental design used to describe the relationship between or among variables. The correlation research design was used to measure relationship between peer pressure, stress and substance abuse among the youth in Katanga slum. Data was presented into statistical information using statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) to establish whether the variables were correlated. So the study observed and concluded there is a significant relationship between peer pressure and stress, significant relationship between peer pressure and substance abuse and a significant relationship between stress and substance abuse. The study recommended that media campaigns against substance abuse should be initiated by the government on internet platforms for example Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, condemning the use of drugs and showcasing their long term effect on one’s health and physical wellbeing this will help to increase awareness especially in these slum areas like Katanga hence save adolescents from drug addiction.