Peer pressure and academic stress among junior high school students:a cross-sectional study

Objective:The objective of the study was to explore the connection between peer pressure and academic stress among junior high school students.Methods:This descriptive correlational study was conducted to investigate the link between perceived peer pressure and academic stress.The study involved a total of 525 adolescents,aged 14-19 years,drawn from 6 public junior high schools(PJHS)in Padang,Indonesia,using purposive sampling.Academic stress and perceived peer pressure were assessed using the Educational Stress Scale for Adolescents(ESSA)and the Perceived Peer Pressure Scale(PPPS).Results:The findings indicated significant variations in stress levels among students in different grade levels(7th,8th,and 9th grades)(P<0.05),while there were no noteworthy differences in peer pressure across these grade levels(P>0.05).Additionally,there was a positive correlation observed between perceived peer pressure and academic stress(r=0.14,P<0.05).Furthermore,multiple regression analyses,incorporating demographic variables and perceived peer pressure as independent factors,yielded statistically significant results(adjusted R^(2)=0.082,F=4.33,P<0.001).Notably,peer pressure had a direct impact on academic stress among adolescents,with class level and parents’educational background mediating the relationship between academic stress and adolescent behavioral problems.Conclusions:These findings underscore the importance of addressing both external and internal factors at the individual,family,school,and societal levels to enhance adolescents’psychological resilience and mitigate problem behaviors.

Social Support and Adolescents’ Alcohol Use: An Integrative Literature Review

The trajectories at treatment of alcohol use and abuse among adolescents have become a major health concern. The purpose of this paper was to discuss alcohol use and abuse among adolescents and its relationship to social support. Integrative review has been utilized to address the issue. There is a presentation of findings from research examining social support concepts and their relationship to adolescents’ alcohol use and abuse. Treatment requires awareness of underlying causes in order to establish effective treatment approaches. Determining these underlying causes requires adequate knowledge of family, peers, and societal influences on adolescents’ alcohol use and abuse. Health professionals across disciplines have an important role in implementing multidisciplinary interventions. The purpose of this paper was to discuss alcohol use and abuse among adolescents and its relationship to social support. Results, controversies and concerns raised by the reported results are addressed. Implications for future research are delineated.

Knowledge of Factors Associated with Teenage Pregnancy among Junior High School Students in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region of Ghana

World Health Organization (WHO) defines teenage pregnancy as occurring between the ages of 10 and 19. Although teenagers make up just 22% of the Ghanaian population, in 2014, a Demographic and Health Survey report indicated that teenagers account for 30% of all births recorded. Pregnancies and births during the teenage period are associated with higher risks than older women. This study aimed to identify and establish the knowledge of factors linked to teenage pregnancies among junior high school students in the Talensi District Assembly in the Upper East of Ghana. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 95 Junior High School students from January to February, 2022 for a period of six weeks. Convenience sampling was used to select the participants. Primary data was obtained using a structured questionnaire;secondary data was obtained from the Talensi District Health Directorate and the Talensi District Assembly. Data were analysed using SPSS Version 22. Results. Thirty-six (36, 25.2%) of the respondents intimated that curiosity was a significant cause of teenage pregnancies in the Talensi District, which recorded 19.6% in 2021, an increase over the 2020 figure of 17.7%. Reasons why teenagers would want to engage in sexual activities, included curiosity about sex—36 (27.17%), social media influences—8 (19.58), peer pressure—27 (18.88%) and favours to partners—19 (13.29%). Concerning their knowledge about contraceptive use, the participants mentioned friends (32.26%) as being the prime informants, parents and relatives (17.74%) and radio broadcasts (12.10%). Conclusion: The Talensi District Assembly is entreated to roll out poverty alleviation programmes for families in the area with teenage girls attending school and to enact legislation prohibiting early marriage. Measures that will help reduce teenage pregnancies in the district should include adequate financial support by parents of their wards, sex education in schools and various houses, and schooling of the teenagers to resist peer pressure.