Parenting Styles as Predictors of Adolescents’ Susceptibility to Peer Pressure in Secondary Schools in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the relationship among the four levels of parenting styles and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents in Anambra State, Nigeria. Six research questions and saix hypotheses guided the study. The design of the study was correlational research design. The population comprised 55,696 adolescents in senior secondary schools in Anambra State. A sample size of 1,000 senior secondary school students were selected through proportionate stratified and convenience sampling techniques. The research instrument that was used in the study is a validated and reliable questionnaire. Multiple regression statistics was used to test hypotheses 1-5 while the Fisher-z statistics were used to test hypothesis 6. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between four parenting styles and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents; that there is a significant relationship between authoritative parenting style and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents; that there is a significant relationship between authoritarian parenting style and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents; that there is a significant relationship between permissive parenting style and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents; and that there is a significant relationship between neglecting parenting style and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents. The study however, revealed that there is no significant moderating impact of sex in the relationship between parenting styles and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents in Anambra State. On the basis of these findings, it was recommended amongst others, that Guidance counsellors should provide parenting workshops and resources that educate parents on the different parenting styles and the importance of fostering open communication, clear expectations, and warmth in the parent-child relationship, regardless of the specific style used.