THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL DEMAND, PEER PRESSURE AND ECONOMIC INSTABILITY ON ADOLESCENTS BEHAVIOURAL PATTERN IN OVIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to ascertain the influence of social demand, peer pressure and economic instability on adolescents’ behavioural patterns. Four (4) research questions were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey. A total number of 100 participants. The research instrument for the study was a Questionnaire, which was distributed to the respondents and collected immediately after completion from respondents. The simple percentage and mean score was used in computing the responses of the questionnaire items. To account for the validity of the instrument, the researcher’s supervisor and two experts in the Department of Educational Evaluation and Counselling Psychology validated and the corrections made led to the final draft of the research instrument. The study revealed that social demands play a critical role in shaping adolescent behavior in most areas, but there are some aspects where their impact is less pronounced. This nuanced understanding highlights the complexity of social influences on adolescents, showing that while they are generally significant, they are not universally dominant in all behavioral contexts. It also showed that peer pressure significantly influences adolescents' decision-making processes and behavioural patterns.