Peer pressure, resilience and risky sexual behaviors among adolescents in Wakiso District.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between Peer Pressure, Resilience and Risky Sexual Behaviors among Adolescents in Wakiso Uganda. Out of total population of 1000 adolescents, a sample of 217 participants was selected using simple random sampling technique. This study adopted purely quantitative study approach which took a correlational study design. Pearson correlation coefficient was also used to examine the relationship between study variables. For hypothesis 4, linear regression analysis was used for analysis. Results indicated that there was a significant relationship between peer pressure and risky sexual behavior, r = −0.281, p=0.000<0.01. Similarly, the findings of this study indicated that there was a very weak, negative correlation between peer pressure and resilience, r = −0.055, p = 0.422.,>.05. Also the results of the current study indicated that there was significant relationship between risky sexual behaviors and resilience, r = 0.147, p = 0.031, <.05. It was also discovered that resilience did not mediate the relationship between peer pressure and risky sexual behaviors among adolescents β=-.281, P=0.000<.05, adjusted R-squared=0.071. Basing on the above findings, in line with the objectives the study recommends that Wakiso district and Onwards and Upwards secondary school, prioritize recruiting mental health workers especially counselling psychologists in all their facilities. These counseling psychologists will help develop programs to support different teams to empower adolescents with life skills. Through individual counseling sessions, group sessions, classroom guidance, workshops among others; students will gain skills to grow successfully amidst pressure, parents and other stakeholders will be equipped to successfully talk about sexuality with their teenagers. More so, peer to peer counseling should be prioritized in schools. With proper training, these peers may be a great influence in the process of guiding their peers against peer pressure and risky sexual behaviors.