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Someone verbally encourages or pressures you to do something you may be hesitant about

If some directly asks, teases or dares you to do something like vaping or drugs, its spoken pressure

A friend says, “Come on, just try it once, everyone is doing it, it's not dangerous.”

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Feeling pressure to fit in without anyone directly saying anything

People start silently distancing themselves due to them vaping and you not

If people around you are vaping and you feel like you need to in order to be accepted

You see everyone else vaping at a party and feel like you should too, even though no one says anything to you

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Influence that comes from hearing about what others are doing rather than being personally invited or offered

If you hear people talking about vaping like it’s normal or see it on a social media platform, and feel pressured to do it, or left out because you aren’t

Watching Snapchat stories where everyone is vaping and you feel left out

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A person actively offers you something like a vape, and expects you to accept it

Look for clear offers or hand-off such as someone saying “here take it”, or “here take a hit”

Can cause a situation where saying “no” feels uncomfortable

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Friends or peers encourage you to make healthy, smart choices

If someone praises you for saying no, supports your decision or sets a good example

A friend says, “I’m glad you don’t vape either, it's important we stay healthy

Could also be a teammate pressuring you to eat healthy or quit so you perform better

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Friends or peers pressure you to make bad decisions, often done by making fun of you or making you feel like you are letting them down

Teasing, insults, guilt tripping or treats to your social status are all common examples

Someone says that “you are such a baby” for not making a bad decision or questioning your friendship

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It can be difficult especially when your friends seem to be ok with it, however, if something doesn't feel right then it probably isn’t.

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On some occasions, you may run into complications like friends refusing to give up on making you try something. If worse comes to worse, make an excuse.

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Having friends that think like you or would agree with you on a topic is helpful for peer pressure. This is because when being pressured to do something that seems unpleasant, your friend is likely thinking the same thing.

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Although basic and may seem annoying, having a trusted adult to depend on can be crucial for developing ways to deal with peer pressure.

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You are hanging with your friends after school, and someone brings out a vape, and offers you a hit.

Politely decline and stay firm. You can casually say you don’t vape and continue doing something else with the group. If they keep pressuring you, you can excuse yourself and go home or call someone to pick you up.

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You go to a party where a lot of people are vaping. Even if no one directly offers you a vape, you feel pressured to join in.

Remind yourself why you don’t want to vape. Find friends who aren’t vaping or stay in areas with people who aren’t using. Try to find something to do other than vape such as playing games with others at the party. Involve yourself without vaping.

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During lunch or a bathroom break some classmates invite you to go vape with them, acting like it's normal.

Say you’re not interested and walk away. You can use excuses like you are very hungry and want to eat, or that you have a big homework assignment to work on, or a test to study for. Avoid hanging out with them in the future if they continue to pressure you.

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You are in a group chat where friends send pictures or videos of themselves vaping. They joke about it and make jokes asking about when you are going to join in.

Ignore the comments or leave the group chat if they continue to pressure you. You can also privately message or create a group chat with the other members that don’t agree with vaping.

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Teammates are vaping after practice to relax, and encourage you to try it.

Focus on your individual goals, and remember that while it can cause short term relaxation, the long term effects are detrimental to athletic performance.

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Approximately 90% of teenagers have experienced peer pressure before.

There’s a number of reasons teenagers give into peer pressure; they may not have a lot of friends and fear losing the ones they have, they may feel it’s easier to go with a crowd then oppose it, etc.

80% of teens began smoking due to peer pressure.

75% of teenagers have tried alcohol due to peer pressure.

Girls are more likely to give into peer pressure, whether it’s positive or negative.

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Peer pressure is the process by which members of the same social group influence other members to do things that they may be resistant to, or might not otherwise choose to do. Peers are people who are part of the same social group, so the term "peer pressure" refers to the influence that peers can have on each other.

Usually, the term peer pressure is used when people are talking about behaviors that are not considered socially acceptable or desirable, such as experimentation with alcohol or drugs.

Though peer pressure is not usually used to describe socially desirable behaviors, such as exercising or studying, peer pressure can have positive effects in some cases.

Types of Peer Pressure

In reality, peer pressure can be either a positive or negative influence that one peer, or group of peers, has on another person. The following six terms are often used to describe the types of peer pressure a person may experience.

Spoken vs. Unspoken Peer Pressure

As the name suggests, spoken peer pressure is when someone verbally influences another person to do something. For instance, a teenager might influence their friend to smoke a cigarette by saying, "Come on, one cigarette won't hurt."

Even if no one tells the teenager to smoke a cigarette in the example above, the teen may still feel pressured by their peers to partake in the activity because it seems like everyone is doing it.

Direct vs. Indirect Peer Pressure

Direct peer pressure is when a person uses verbal or nonverbal cues to persuade someone to do something. The example mentioned above of a teen handing another teen a cigarette is also an instance of direct peer pressure because the teen on the receiving end must decide on the spot how they're going to respond.

With indirect peer pressure, no one is singling you out, but the environment you're in may influence you to do something. If you're at a party where everyone is drinking, for instance, you might feel pressured to drink even if no one asks you to.

Positive vs. Negative Peer Pressure

Finally, peer pressure can be described as either positive or negative. Positive peer pressure is when a person is influenced by others to engage in a beneficial or productive behavior.

Negative peer pressure is the influence a person faces to do something they wouldn't normally do or don't want to do as a way of fitting in with a social group. People often face negative peer pressure to drink alcohol, do drugs, or have sex.

Examples of Peer Pressure

Peer pressure causes people to do things they would not otherwise do with the hope of fitting in or being noticed.

Things people may be peer pressured into doing include:

Acting aggressively (common among men)

Bullying others

Doing drugs

Dressing a certain way

Drinking alcohol

Engaging in vandalism or other criminal activities

Having sex

Physically fighting

Only socializing with a certain group

Peer pressure or the desire to impress their peers can override a teen or tween's fear of taking risks, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Kids. Risky behavior with drugs and/or alcohol may result in the following:

Accidents

Addiction

Alcohol or drug poisoning

Asphyxiation

Driving under the influence (of alcohol or other drugs)

Overdose

Sexually transmitted diseases

Behavioral Addiction

People can also feel an internal pressure to participate in activities and behaviors they think their peers are doing, which can put them at risk for the following behavioral addictions:

In the case of teens, parents are rarely concerned about the peer pressure their kids may face to engage in sports or exercise, as these are typically seen as healthy social behaviors. This is OK, as long as the exercise or sport does not become an unhealthy way of coping, excessive to the point of negatively affecting their health, or dangerous (as in dangerous sports).

If taken to an extreme, they may develop exercise addiction, causing them to neglect schoolwork and social activities, and ultimately, use exercise and competition in sports as their main outlet for coping with the stresses of life. This can also lead to numerous health consequences.

Examples of Positive Peer Influence

We tend to hear more about the potentially negative effects of peer pressure. But the reality is, peer pressure can be positive. For instance, two friends might put positive pressure on each other to go to the gym together and stay accountable for their fitness goals.

Teens who volunteer in their community can keep each other motivated to participate. This involvement can lead to exposure to role models and eventually lead to the teens becoming positive role models themselves.

In turn, your friend might reconsider criticizing people based on their appearance. By simply adhering to your own values and sharing them with a friend, you can positively peer pressure them to think before making a negative comment.

Parental Influence vs. Peer Pressure

Although parents worry about the influence of peers, overall, parents also can have a strong influence on whether children succumb to negative peer pressure.

Rather than worrying about the effects of their children's friendships, parents would do well to focus on creating a positive, supportive home environment. That way, even if your child is peer pressured to do something they don't want to do, they'll feel comfortable coming to you to talk about it first.

Role modeling good emotional self-regulation may also help your child stick to their own values when it comes to peer pressure. Self-regulation involves the ability to control thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in order to manage current behavior and achieve long-term goals.

This will teach your child positive ways of solving problems and coping with uncomfortable feelings, rather than trying to escape by doing things to fit into a crowd. Peer pressure to take potentially harmful risks can be balanced by parents ensuring that they set appropriate boundaries, provide support, and help to avoid risks. A few examples:

Pick up your child from events where alcohol or drugs may have been consumed.

Provide balanced, truthful information on issues such as alcohol and drug use.

Stay involved in your child's life. Believe it or not, you are one of their biggest influences and they listen when you talk.

Urge the importance of thinking before doing. Teach teens to ask themselves questions like: Could this harm me or someone else? Will this put my health or safety at risk? Is it legal? What are the long-term consequences for my health, family, education, and future?

Peer Pressure Beyond Childhood

Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to peer pressure because they are at a stage of development when they are separating more from their parents' influence, but have not yet established their own values or understanding about human relationships or the consequences of their behavior.

They are also typically striving for social acceptance and are more willing to engage in behaviors against their better judgment in order to be accepted.

However, adults are also vulnerable to peer pressure. Many adults are susceptible to drinking too much because their friends are doing it, or putting work before family because they're competing with other people in their office for a promotion.

How to Deal With Peer Pressure

Dealing with peer pressure can be difficult, but below are some ways to help address it.

Take Your Time

Instead of quickly agreeing to do something you'd rather not do, pause and take a few deep breaths. If someone is waiting for you to answer them, tell them you need to take a few days and think about it. It's easier to resist the pressure when you put some time and space between yourself and the situation.

Consider Your Reasons

When you're faced with a choice, ask yourself what your reasons are for doing something. If it's because all of your friends are doing it and you're afraid they won't talk to you if you don't join them, then you may want to reconsider.

Set Boundaries

Saying "no" can be hard, but it's necessary to set healthy boundaries in relationships. If someone persistently pressures you to do something, you can try telling them how it affects you.

For instance, you might say something like, "It upsets me when you offer me a cigarette when you know I don't smoke. I won't be able to keep hanging out with you if you don't respect my answer."

Offer an Alternative

It's possible that a friend who is peer pressuring you simply wants to spend more time with you or connect with you, but they don't know how else to ask.

If they pressure you to do shots with them at the bar when you aren't drinking, for example, you might suggest that you both hit the dance floor instead. Or maybe, you make a plan to go on a hike or to the movies the next time you hang out. That way, you're fulfilling both of your needs in a mutually beneficial way.

By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD
Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada.

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Peer pressure is the way people of the same social group can influence one another. There may be negative or positive effects of peer pressure. Learn more.

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Have you ever done something you didn't want to do in order to belong to a friend group or because you were worried about "looking cool?" These are classic results of peer pressure but don't worry, you are not alone! Approximately 90 percent of teens reported having experienced peer pressure, which is commonly defined as any external force of influence on our decisions that might have an effect on our physical or mental health.

Peer pressure happens quite frequently- on social media, amongst our friend groups, at school, and sometimes even in our home. Peer pressure is often thought of as negative, due to influencing decision-making, but it can also be a positive thing. Positive peer pressure might look like encouraging friends to join a play, the pressure to do well on assignments, or influencing kids to try new foods at home. Unfortunately, peer pressure also has the ability to be negative if it restrains you from making a decision yourself or causes emotional or physical consequences.

Peer pressure can happen to anyone at any age, but it's important to know why peer pressure might happen to better prepare you in setting boundaries. "Oftentimes peer pressure happens because we don't want to be the only ones doing something," says Karen Hasselman, School-Based Therapist at Centerstone. Some indicators that someone is being pressured might be an increase in nervousness, secretive behaviors, anxiety or depression, or behavior issues like skipping school.

"Children tend to give in to peer pressure for a couple of different reasons. One might be they don't have a lot of relationships or friendships, and they fear the risk of losing them. Another might be that it is easier to go along with the crowd rather than going against it," says Hasselman. When your experience with peer pressure becomes a threat to your health-physically and mentally, it is important to evaluate those relationships and involve a trusted individual (parent, teacher, and friend) who might be able to help you.

Here are some ways you can help combat peer pressure:

Have conversations. Parents should have conversations with their children about morals. It is important to teach them the differences between what is right and wrong, and the consequences that come with making wrong choices. Model healthy decision-making at home to make it easier for them to say no when they are faced with peer pressure.

Setting boundaries. "Setting boundaries can be tough, and it's important to give children opportunities to practice with boundaries in their everyday environments," says Hasselman. A combination of modeling healthy behaviors and boundaries will help children and teens to have those conversations with peers.

Think about it. Sometimes it is best to think about a decision before making it. Create a boundary that allows you to process your thoughts and feelings. Remember, you can always change your mind at another time, but the important thing is to make that decision yourself without influence.

Evaluate relationships. If your relationships or friendships result in questioning yourself, threats, or insults, then it might not be healthy. You can have conversations with those friends or partners, but consider if it is the best option for you.

Ultimately, you have the ability to discern when things are good or bad for you. Allow yourself the space to make decisions when you are comfortable and know that it is okay to set boundaries and say no.

If you or someone you know is struggling with setting boundaries, Centerstone can help. Call 1-877-HOPE123 (1-877-467-3123) for more information.

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What is Peer Pressure and Who is at Risk? - Centerstone

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Have you ever done something you didn't want to do in order to belong to a friend group or because you were worried about "looking cool?" These are classic results of peer pressure but don't worry, you are not alone!

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Peer pressure, or influence, comes in several forms, and these types of peer pressure can have a tremendous impact on a young person's behavior. Research shows the most impressionable age for peer influence seems to be the middle school years. This is when a child is forming new friendships and choosing an identity among those friends.

It is also the most common age for kids to start experimenting with alcohol, drugs, sexual activity and other risky behaviors. Very often, the drive to engage in this kind of behavior is a result of peer pressure. Adolescents who have larger circles of friends appear to be less influenced by the suggestions or actions of their peers, but the pressure to conform is very real at this age.

Here's a breakdown of six types of peer pressure, and tips for parents who want to help their child make healthy, life-long choices.

1. Spoken Peer Pressure

Spoken peer pressure is when a teenager asks, suggests, persuades or otherwise directs another to engage in a specific behavior. If this is done in a one-on-one environment, the recipient of the influence has a stronger chance of adhering to his or her core values and beliefs. If, however, the spoken influence takes place within a group, the pressure to go along with the group is immense.

2. Unspoken Peer Pressure

With unspoken peer pressure, a teenager is exposed to the actions of one or more peers and is left to choose whether they want to follow along. This could take the form of fashion choices, personal interactions or 'joining' types of behavior (clubs, cliques, teams, etc.). Many young teens lack the mental maturity to control impulses and make wise long-term decisions. Because of this, many teens are more susceptible to influence from older or more popular friends.

3. Direct Peer Pressure

This type of peer pressure can be spoken or unspoken. Direct peer pressure is normally behavior-centric. Examples of these kinds of behavior would be when a teenager hands another teen an alcoholic drink, or makes a sexual advance, or looks at another student's paper during a test. The other teen is put in a position of having to make an on-the-spot decision.

4. Indirect Peer Pressure

Similar to unspoken peer pressure, indirect peer pressure is subtle but can still exert a strong influence on an impressionable young person. When a teen overhears a friend gossiping about another person and then reacts to the gossip, that is indirect peer pressure. Or if a middle schooler learns that the popular kids' parties include alcohol or drugs, that indirect pressure may prompt them to experiment as a way to gain acceptance.

5. Negative Peer Pressure

Asking a young teenager to engage in behavior that is against their moral code or family values is a type of negative peer pressure. Teens see the actions of other teens with stronger personalities and are put in a position of following the leader or walking away. It's not uncommon for teens with strong morals to find themselves engaging in behavior that goes against their beliefs, simply because they want acceptance. Young people often lack the skills to come up with an excuse or reason to say no to negative peer pressure.

6. Positive Peer Pressure

A group dynamic can be a positive peer influence if the behaviors are healthy, age-appropriate and socially acceptable. For instance, if a peer group wants to make good grades, a young teen can be positively influenced to study. Or if a popular friend wants to earn money and save to buy a car, a less outgoing teenager may also be influenced to get a job and open a savings account. If members of the football team take a pledge to abstain from drinking alcohol to focus on staying healthy and having a winning season, other students may adopt the same behavior.

Parents Can Be the Most Powerful Influence in a Teen's Life

Parents can be the strongest influence in their child's life if they understand and are aware of the types of peer pressure their teenager is facing. Supporting healthy friendships, modeling responsible behavior and keeping an open, judgment-free family dialogue are three key components of maintaining positive parental influence on a teenager.

Take the time to talk it out with your teen and ask them about types of peer pressure they may be facing. Check out our conversation starters if you need some advice on how you can kick things off.

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What are the Six Types of Peer Pressure?

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Peer pressure, or influence, comes in several forms, and these types of peer pressure can have a tremendous impact on a young person's behavior. Research shows the most impressionable age for peer influence seems to be the middle school years. This is when a child is forming

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Discover the types of peer pressure, their effects, and strategies to cope. Learn how to protect yourself or a loved one from harmful influences.

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Peer pressure is the influence you feel when a group influences you to do something or act a certain way that you're not comfortable with.

By learning how to recognize pressure, you'll get better at dealing with it.

Standing up to peer pressure is daunting at first. You will get better with practice.

No matter how pressured you feel, there is always the option to say "no."

Making healthy decisions is a crucial part of growing up to be a healthy and happy individual. At first, our parents played the most important role in helping us make decisions. However, the opinions of peers have a more significant weight during our teen years, influencing how we choose what to do or what not to do. Types of peer pressure can greatly affect how we decide on all sorts of things, from what to wear, who to date, and even what to eat, drink, or smoke.

Here, we'll talk about the different types of peer pressure and how young individuals can resist the temptation to give in.

What is Peer Pressure?

Peer pressure is the influence, whether direct or indirect, that is placed on individuals within the same social group that impacts their behavior. This can affect all sorts of different groups, but perhaps some of the most susceptible to peer pressure are the groups formed in adolescence. In other words, peer pressure influences people to do certain things and behave in certain ways that they might not usually do.

This phenomenon is rooted in Social Learning Theory, which states that we learn new things based on observing and modeling how others act [*]. The psychologist who coined this term was the late Alfred Bandura, who explained that "most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling: from observing others one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions, this coded information serves as a guide for action." In the context of peer pressure, this means that we learn from the people around us, whether they are friends, classmates, influencers, or even celebrities.

Peer pressure is usually used to persuade individuals to join in on group activities. Some negative examples of peer pressure may include playing a prank, breaking the rules, or doing something illegal. Most of the time, teens may feel pressured to take part in such activities, even if their conscience tells them not to. Fortunately, there are also positive forms of peer pressure that can lead to better outcomes. Learning how to cope with peer pressure matters as it can help us stand by our values.

What are the Different Types of Peer Pressure?

There are many different types of peer pressure.

1. Unspoken Peer Pressure

In group settings, decisions can be made together to influence the actions of others, even without explicit instructions. For instance, if a friend group decides to break curfew even without speaking the words telling each other to do so, an individual might feel pressured to follow suit and fit in. Since everybody is doing it, one would feel influenced to do it as well.

2. Positive Peer Pressure

Positive peer pressure, on the other hand, influences others to engage in healthy, age-appropriate, and socially acceptable behaviors. Examples of positive peer pressure may look like this: for instance, a study group in high school wants to get good grades. A young teen might be positively influenced to study harder as a result. Another great example of positive peer pressure is a popular friend going out to get a part-time job to save up for a car. Their peers might be influenced to also get a job and open a savings account. Similarly, if popular members of the football team abstain from drinking and drugs, then other students who look up to them might adopt the same behavior.

3. Negative Peer Pressure

Negative peer pressure is the opposite of positive peer pressure. Instead of influencing peers to follow good behaviors, negative peer pressure influences others to go against their moral code or values. Teens may look to the actions of teens with stronger personalities and follow their example, even if they don't agree with them. For instance, a teen may know it's wrong to drink alcohol while underage, but they may do it anyway because they want to be accepted by the group.

4. Direct Peer Pressure

Among all the different types of peer pressure, direct influences are the most powerful. It can be spoken or unspoken and often involves forcing a person to take action. Let's look back at the drinking example above. A group of teens who drink may practice direct peer pressure on a new member of the group by handing them a beer at a party, even if it wasn't requested. The message this sends is that drinking is not an option but, rather, a requirement. This forces many young individuals to make on-the-spot decisions under stress, where they usually disregard their own views to fit in or avoid being rude. Being forced to make these decisions can cause extreme uneasiness, and it then becomes important to know how to cope with anxiety and other symptoms that arise.

5. Indirect Peer Pressure

Indirect peer pressure is similar to unspoken pressure in that it is subtle and not explicitly stated but can still strongly influence an impressionable young individual. For instance, when a teen overhears their friend gossiping about another person and then reacts to the gossip, that is considered indirect peer pressure. Another example would be if a student learns that popular kids have alcohol and drugs at their parties. The indirect pressure may prompt them to experiment with alcohol and drugs as well to gain acceptance from the "in" group.

6. Normative Peer Pressure

Normative peer pressure involves others pressuring you to conform to certain social norms and behaviors. This can include dressing in a certain style or speaking a certain way. This can pressure young individuals to change different aspects of their identity to conform to what everybody else is doing.

7. Cyber Peer Pressure

Cyber peer pressure is any peer pressure that comes from online influences, such as social media and other peers online. This can include cyberbullying, online shaming, or promoting negative behaviors like substance abuse. For example, a teen might feel pressured to take part in a prank online, like sending a nude picture to someone they like or commenting on another person's posts to bully them.

8. Academic Peer Pressure

Academic peer pressure can be positive or negative. On the one hand, positive peer pressure can improve academic performance. This happens when students have good relationships with other peers who promote academic engagement. However, when pressure is bad, academic success suffers. This often occurs when students join groups that encourage disengagement from school, which has a negative impact on academic practices.

9. Appearance Peer Pressure

Appearance peer pressure is the pressure of influence to appear a certain way. A common example would be when groups of female friends pressure each other to be thin. This often factors into how teens view themselves, including body image. Body image is a huge part of developing self-esteem as a teenager, so when teens don't like how they look, their self-esteem plummets. This can lead to depression and anxiety [*].

10. Relationship Peer Pressure

Developing romantic relationships is also a normal part of teenhood, but it can also lead to lots of peer pressure. Teens may feel pressure to do things in a romantic relationship that they are not ready for, just to prove that they care about the other person. The pressure to be in a relationship may also be significant, even if teens don't feel ready to be in one yet.

Coping Strategies for Peer Pressure

To combat the different types of peer pressure, it is helpful to keep three things in mind.

First, resist making snap decisions. Ask your peers for more information so that you can make an informed choice.

If you feel uncomfortable with what your peers are doing, formulate a plan or an excuse to exit the situation. You can also suggest an alternative idea.

After you have removed yourself from the situation, focus on surrounding yourself with positive and uplifting friends and get involved in lots of healthy activities.

How Can Parents Help Their Children Deal with Peer Pressure?

Parents can help their children by continuing to be a significant influence in their lives. They can do this by putting effort into understanding the types of peer pressure that their teenager is facing. By supporting healthy friendships, modeling responsible behavior, and maintaining open, judgment-free family communication, parents can be a positive influence on their kids. They can then be in a position to help combat the difficulties of peer pressure.

How Can Schools and Communities Address Peer Pressure?

Schools and communities can also help address peer pressure.

One of the most important factors in preventing situations where peer pressure might grow is to promote a culture of diversity and inclusivity. Doing so will help students feel like they belong and that they are heard. Inclusiveness ensures that students feel connected to their peers while diversity ensures that they are well represented in the student body.

It is also important to talk openly and honestly with teens about what peer pressure is and how it can lead to positive or negative outcomes. Create a safe space where students can talk about the pressures they may be facing, such as the pressure to conform, and then discuss practical ways to manage this pressure.

Educators can also provide students with opportunities to practice their communication skills in situations where they may need to resist peer pressure. Role-playing and using real-life scenarios can help significantly. Using tools such as social skills worksheets may also help.

Can Peer Pressure Have Long-Term Effects on Mental Health?

Peer pressure can actually have effects on one's mental health. Not only is this evident in the short term, but it has also been observed in the long term.

A 10-year study examined more than 600 Canadian youth and examined the effects of peer pressure and the changes it had on depressive symptoms between ages 14 and 25. Results showed that young individuals with friends who used alcohol and drugs consistently were more depressed at each age. On the other hand, those with friends who engaged in positive activities reported free depressive symptoms with age, particularly during adolescence [*].

Peer pressure can affect how we make our decisions from a young age, and this can translate into our behaviors and habits as we grow into adults. Given this, it is especially important that young individuals learn how to resist peer pressure early on.

The Bottom Line

Saying no to peer pressure can be really challenging. Knowing the types of peer pressure there are is the first step to understanding what can be done to resist giving in. There are many coping skills for teens that can be used to deal with the pressures of being influenced by peers. Let us remember that dealing with peer pressure is not an individual task but a collective one.
References:

1. UC Berkeley. How Social Learning Theory Works.

2. Soares L, Batista R, Cardoso V, et al. Body image dissatisfaction and symptoms of depression disorder in adolescents. 7 December 2020.

3. Homel J, Thompson K, Leadbeater B. Changes in positive and negative peer influences and depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood. 7 September 2020.

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Different Types of Peer Pressure: Examples and Coping Strategies

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Peer pressure can be challenging to deal with. Here are some examples and coping strategies.

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According to the National Library of Medicine, 85% of high schoolers have felt peer pressure. 80% of teens began smoking due to peer influence and 75% have tried alcohol due to it. Peer pressure is the external force that influences decision-making that has effects on mental and physical health.

"I would say from the time that you're born, until the time you're through college, you're just so easily influenced in good and bad ways. Our brains are evolving so much, that we're trying to take it all in and [trying to] figure out who we are and develop our own sense of self," Counselor Jodi Therkelsen said.

Teenagers are more susceptible to peer pressure because they are highly influenced by their environment due to their brains lacking development in areas that deal with decision-making and judgment. Lacking this makes teens more sensitive to social pressures and impulsive behaviors. This is seen when teenagers are more likely to do something impulsive when around friends.

Junior Taka Goremusandu feels the most pressure among his friends and has had past experiences with impulsive decision-making around them.

"I am around them [my friends] five days a week at school, then [on] weekends I am around them the most. So as you are around them a lot, you pick up on what they do, and how they act. So if they act a certain way you will probably follow them and what they do," Goremusandu said.

An experiment done at Temple University by psychologists Jason Chein and Lawrence Steinberg tested if teenagers are more likely to take risks when surrounded by peers. The results showed that, compared to adults, teens were more likely to be vulnerable to making risky choices when they had company.

"It [peer pressure] affects our age the most because when you get into high school you are trying to find your way around life. As an adult you have everything set in stone," Goremusandu said.

Peer pressure is usually talked about in a negative light, but there are a lot of positive impacts that come from constructive peer pressure.

"For me, I have surrounded myself with good people, so it's mostly positive peer pressure. They are encouraging like, 'you can do this, I know you can,'" sophomore Kaiden Carmichel said.

Positive peer pressure can make a lasting impact on your life and give you a sense of belonging and self-confidence. Therefore, it is important to be able to remove yourself from negative situations by setting boundaries, looking for positive relationships, and knowing that you can't please everyone.

"I think surrounding yourself with people you are more comfortable with and that have a similar personality, and not trying to fit into every friend group because you're really not going to," said Carmichel.

Avoiding negative peer pressure for yourself is important, but being able to stand up for people who are easily influenced and don't have the confidence to do so themselves is equally important.

"I think if you notice that somebody else is getting a lot of peer pressure in a negative way, it's important to be able to stand behind them because that will not only give that person confidence, to say the right thing or do the right thing, but hopefully, it'll give the negative source an idea to back off," Therkelsen said.

Negative peer pressure is a huge issue many teens deal with. Bringing awareness and being able to identify when things are going wrong is key to making responsible decisions for yourself.

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According to the National Library of Medicine, 85% of high schoolers have felt peer pressure. 80% of teens began smoking due to peer influence and 75% have tried alcohol due to it. Peer pressure is the external force that influences decision-making that has effects on mental and physical health.

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Learn strategies that can help you handle negative peer pressure.

What is peer pressure?

Everyone has peers. Peers can be your friends who are about your age and have similar interests and experiences. Peers can also be other kids who are about your age and are involved in the same activities with you or are part of a community or group you belong to. You may not consider all of your peers to be friends, but they can all influence you.

Peer pressure can be positive or negative. When peer pressure is positive, it pushes you to be your best. Negative peer pressure is when someone who is a friend or part of a group you belong to makes you feel that you have to do something to be accepted. It's the negative peer pressure that we usually think of when the phrase peer pressure is used. When you give in to negative peer pressure, you often feel guilty or disappointed with yourself for acting in a way that goes against your beliefs or values.

Some examples of negative peer pressure are:

Needing to dress or act a certain way.

Cheating or copying someone else's work or letting others copy your work.

Not including certain people in social activities.

Taking dangerous risks when driving.

Using drugs or alcohol.

Shoplifting or stealing.

Engaging in sexual activity.

Engaging in bullying or cyberbullying.

Projecting a misleading/false image on social media.

What strategies can help handle negative peer pressure?

Pay attention to how you feel. If something doesn't feel right about a situation, it probably isn't. Even if your friends seem ok with what is going on, the situation may not be right for you.

Plan ahead. Think about how you will respond in different situations. Plan what you can say or what you can do.

Talk to the person who is pressuring, let him or her know how it makes you feel and tell the person stop.

Have a secret code to communicate with parents. Something you can say or text to your parent(s) that lets them know you need out of a situation. Parents can either call or text to say that you need to come home, or that they need to pick you up.

Give an excuse. It should be ok to say "no" without needing to apologize or give an explanation. But it may make it easier to say no if you have a ready reason. Perhaps saying you have a medical reason such as asthma or allergies that makes it dangerous for you to take anything. Or even stating that your parents need you to come home, if you feel it would be best to leave the situation all together.

Have friends with similar values and beliefs. It is easier to say "no" if someone else is also saying it. Saying "no" together makes it easier for the both of you.

Get support from a trusted adult such as a parent, teacher, or school counselor. A trusted adult can listen to you and help you with strategies that might work in your situation.

Resources

​​​​​​​ Tips for Handling Peer Pressure from Kids Health

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Learn strategies that can help you handle negative peer pressure.

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Did you ever feel like another kid was trying to get you to do something you didn’t want to do? If so, you’ve felt peer pressure. Find out more in this article for kids.