HOME VARIABLES AND PEER PRESSURE AS CORRELATES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL BEING OF IN-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN ANAMBRA STATE.

Abstract

This study seek to examine the relationship between home variables, peer pressure and
psychological wellbeing of in-school adolescents in Anambra state. Three research
question and one hypothesis guided the study. Correlational research design was adopted
for the study. The study was carried out in Anambra State. The population of the study
comprised of year two senior secondary school (SSS2) students in the 263 public
secondary schools in the six (6) education zones in Anambra state. The participants for
the study consists of 946 students, obtained through non-proportionate stratified
random sampling technique from eight (8) schools in Onitsha, and Awka education
zones. Instruments for data collection include a structured questionnaire that was
designed by experts to collect data on the student’s Psychological Well-Being called
Psychological Well-Being Scale for adolescents (PWBSA) and Peer Pressure Inventory
for Adolescents (PPIA). The data collected was analyzed using Pearson Product Moment
Correlation Coefficient (Pearson r) while hypothesis was tested at .05 level of
significance using multiplelinear regression. The findings of the study reveals that peer
pressure, parental level of education, family income, parental occupation have positive
relationship with psychological well-being of in-school adolescents in Anambra state.
Recommendations were made and some of the recommendations include that Parents
should try as much as possible to improve the home environment of the in-school
adolescents so as to enhance their psychological well-being. Also students should be
encouraged to choose their friend wisely as some have negative influence on them,
especially those who sneak out of school, use drugs and those who do not attend school
regularly.