RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PEER PRESSURE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES AMONG OUT-OF-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN NORTHWEST, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between peer pressure and substance abuse, criminal activities among out-of-school adolescents in Northwest Nigeria. The study employed a correlational research design, utilizing a stratified random sampling technique to select 384 adolescents aged 13 to 19 years from both rural and urban communities in the region. Data was collected using the Peer Pressure Scale (PPS) and the Substance Abuse and Criminal Activities Inventory (SACAI), both of which demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.75 and 0.74, respectively). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was applied to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. The findings revealed a moderate positive correlation between peer pressure and substance abuse (r = 0.47, p = 0.001) as well as between peer pressure and involvement in criminal activities (r = 0.52, p = 0.001). Consequently, both null hypotheses were rejected, indicating that peer pressure significantly contributes to substance abuse and criminal activities among out-of-school adolescents. These results highlight the critical need for intervention programs, including peer mentorship, family support systems, vocational education, and community-based counseling, to mitigate the influence of negative peer pressure and promote healthier behavioural choices among vulnerable adolescents.