Peer influence, self-esteem and substance abuse among school going adolescents

Abstract

This research examined the relationship between peer influence, self-esteem and substance abuse among school going adolescents in Kawaala. A correlational survey design comprising of 210 respondents aged between 12 to 20 years was used in the study. Participants were selected by use of simple random sampling technique. Data was collected by use of self-administered questionnaires addressing peer influence, self-esteem and substance abuse and was analysed by statistical package for social sciences (SPSS, Version21). Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) was used to test the significance of the hypotheses. Results did not underscore the importance of peer influence as a risk factor for low self-esteem and substance abuse among school going adolescents. However, results affirmed the significance of the influence of self-esteem in the involvement of adolescents in substance abuse. These results emphasize the need for parents, teachers and significant others to get involved in the lives of adolescents to provide them with adequate social support in order to develop their self-esteem and reduce their risk to substance abuse.