Personality Traits as Predictors of Adolescents’ Susceptibility to Peer Pressure in Secondary Schools in Anambra State

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between the five levels of personality traits and adolescents’ susceptibility to peer pressure in secondary schools in Anambra State, Nigeria. Seven research questions and seven 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 was selected through proportionate stratified and convenience sampling techniques. The research instrument that was used in the study is a validated and reliable questionnaire. Pearson’s coefficient of determination was used to answer the research questions, Regression statistics were used to test hypotheses 1-6 while Fisher-z statistics was used to test hypothesis 7. The hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between the Big-5 personality traits and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents; that there is a significant relationship between neuroticism and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents; that there is a significant relationship between conscientiousness and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents; that there is a significant relationship between openness and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents; that there is a significant relationship between extraversion and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents; and that that there is a significant relationship between agreeableness and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents. The study also found that there is a significant moderating impact of sex in the relationship between personality traits and peer pressure among senior secondary school Adolescents. Based on these findings, it was recommended amongst others, that educational programmes should be developed for teenagers that enhance self-awareness of personality traits and how they can influence susceptibility to peer pressure.

Keywords: Personality Traits; Adolescents; Peer Pressure; Secondary