PEER PRESSURE AND ACADEMIC STRESS AMONG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

STUDENTS: HOW PEER EXPECTATIONS AFFECT MENTAL HEALTH AND

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

A Research Paper

Presented to

the Junior High School Faculty

of Sta. Teresa College, Bauan, Batangas

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements

in English 10

Jaymee Anika M. Olimba

Cedric Josef D. Faraon

Kyla Shane C. Dimalibot

R-jed A. Manalang

Ken Cedrick B. Abratique

Chriseanne Maxine T. Salcedo

Stacey Abigail M. Manalo

Ashley C. Plata

Jacob Turd S. Manaog

Nickson C. Nitura

APRIL 2024
 ABSTRACT

Abstract

Keywords: Abstract Abstract Abstract

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Introduction

(Filade, 2019) Peer groups play a large role in the social, emotional and academic

development of students. Peer expectations and their effects on academic performance

and mental health are two areas of current educational and psychological research that

are receiving more and more attention. Adolescents frequently have to navigate a

complicated web of social dynamics, where following peer expectations and norms can

have both beneficial and detrimental consequences on their growth.

The adolescent years are an important period for social integration and identity building,

when people are especially dependent on pressures to fit in. According to (Fadare,

2021), Students are under a certain level of pressure due to the social recognition they

want, which motivates them to follow peer convictions or rejections. As a result,

adolescents may prioritize conforming to peer expectations over their own individual

values and aspirations, which can have profound implications for their mental health

and academic performance.

Peer expectations have a variety of effects on mental health. (Filade, 2019) Such effect

could be seen in social and emotional lives of young people. It could also manifest in

their attitude towards educational activities and careful consideration of these elements

has shown that they reflect in the academic performance of students.

(Golsteyn, 2021) Peer support can offer the encouragement, acceptance, and sense of

belonging that are essential for developing resilience and managing stress. Positive

peer pressure can also increase a person's drive and interest in their academic

endeavors, which can enhance both academic achievement and general wellbeing.

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Although having good relationships with peers might have advantages, peer

expectations can also have negative consequences. School performance and mental

health might suffer when peers urge them to adopt risky habits, adhere to unfavorable

social standards, or put social prestige before academic success. In addition, teenagers

are continuously exposed to carefully crafted depictions of idealized lives and

accomplishments on social media, which can amplify the negative effects of peer

expectations and cause them to compare themselves to others unrealistically and feel

more inadequate. (Filade, 2019)

This study aims to investigate the complex relationships that exist between academic

achievement, mental health, and peer expectations. We seek to clarify the effects of

peer influence on teenage development and wellbeing by exploring the processes by

which it functions. Comprehending the complex nature of peer influence is critical for

creating treatments and support networks that effectively encourage positive social

interactions and academic achievement in young people.

By means of an extensive examination of extant literature and empirical investigations,

this research seeks to answer multiple key questions such as:

1. How do peer expectations influence adolescents' perceptions of themselves and

others?

2. What makes junior high school students stressed about school, and how does

peer pressure play a role?

3. In what ways do peer expectations shape academic motivation, engagement,

and performance?

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We hope to advance knowledge of the complex relationships that exist between

adolescent education, mental health, and social dynamics by illuminating these issues.

Our ultimate goal is to provide insights for the creation of programs and systems of

support that enable teenagers to deal with peer pressure in a way that promotes both

their overall health and academic achievement.

Peer Pressure

(Morin, 2024) defined that peer pressure is the influence wielded by people who are

members of the same social group. Peer pressure can take various forms, including

direct persuasion, implicit suggestions, or even non-verbal cues that influence

individuals to conform to group norms or expectations. Adolescents are particularly

susceptible to peer pressure due to their developmental stage, as they strive to

establish their identity and seek approval from their peers.

It is also a pervasive social phenomenon that significantly influences the lives of

teenagers (Dudi, 2021). Peer influence begins to play a crucial role in adolescence as

teenagers increasingly seek acceptance and validation from their peers. Teenagers are

continuously exposed to well curated depictions of their friends' life on social media,

which is one indirect type of influence that contributes to this influence in addition to

direct contacts. Teens may experience changes in their behavior, attitudes, and self-

perception as a result of this exposure, which may also increase their awareness of

societal expectations and motivate them to follow perceived norms.

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Academic Performance

Based on (Vyad, 2024), Academic Performance refers to how well students do in their

educational pursuits, primarily measured through grades, test scores, and overall

comprehension of academic material. It is important for students as a result of

educational experience in colleges to represent knowledge, skills, and attitudes

(Mappadang, 2022).

Academic Performance is essential, because it helps us to learn and grow. It is not just

about receiving good grades; it's about the process of learning and growth that occurs

along the way. When we strive for academic excellence, we develop important skills

such as critical thinking, problem-solving, time management, and perseverance. These

skills are not only valuable in academic settings but also in our personal and

professional lives.

Methodology

This section outlines the methods that will be employed in the study. It covers the

research design, research environment, respondents, and sampling procedure, as well

as the data gathering instruments and procedure, and the validity and reliability of these

instruments.

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