Peer pressure and academic stress among junior high school students: a cross-sectional study†

Abstract Objective The objective of the study was to explore the connection between peer pressure and academic stress among junior high school students. Methods This descriptive correlational study was conducted to investigate the link between perceived peer pressure and academic stress. The study involved a total of 525 adolescents, aged 14–19 years, drawn from 6 public junior high schools (PJHS) in Padang, Indonesia, using purposive sampling. Academic stress and perceived peer pressure were assessed using the Educational Stress Scale for Adolescents (ESSA) and the Perceived Peer Pressure Scale (PPPS). Results The findings indicated significant variations in stress levels among students in different grade levels (7th, 8th, and 9th grades) ( P 0.05). Additionally, there was a positive correlation observed between perceived peer pressure and academic stress ( r = 0.14, P < 0.05). Furthermore, multiple regression analyses, incorporating demographic variables and perceived peer pressure as independent factors, yielded statistically significant results (adjusted R 2 = 0.082, F = 4.33, P < 0.001). Notably, peer pressure had a direct impact on academic stress among adolescents, with class level and parents’ educational background mediating the relationship between academic stress and adolescent behavioral problems. Conclusions These findings underscore the importance of addressing both external and internal factors at the individual, family, school, and societal levels to enhance adolescents’ psychological resilience and mitigate problem behaviors.