Peer influence, substance abuse and risk to drop out of school among secondary school adolescents

Abstract

In this study, I investigated the relationship between peer influence, substance abuse and risk to drop out of school among secondary school adolescents. Specifically, I investigated the relationship between peer influence and substance abuse; peer influence and risk to drop out of school; substance abuse and risk to drop out school, and the differences between risk to drop out of school among secondary school adolescents at a different level of substance abuse. Finally, I explored the combined effect of peer influence and substance abuse on risk to drop out of school among secondary school adolescents. A correlational study design was employed utilizing a sample of 330 respondents from Makindye secondary schools, Kampala Capital City Authority. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) Version 23. The findings revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between peer influence and substance abuse (r = .74, p< .01); peer influence and risk to drop out of school (rs = .50, p < .01); and substance abuse and risk to drop out of school (rs = .63, p< .01). From the results, it is concluded that the more secondary school adolescents get involved in substance abuse, the more likely they will drop out of schools. It is therefore recommended that secondary school managers should have effective intervention in prevention, response and recovery related to substance abuse among their school adolescents.