Prevalence and Association of Peer Pressure and Media Influence with Peer Victimization and Intervention Strategies among In-School Adolescents in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Peer victimization is an important adolescent public health concern associated with adverse psychological, social, and educational outcomes. Evidence from Imo State, Nigeria, remains limited. This study determined the prevalence of peer victimization, examined its associations with peer pressure and media influence and formulate intervention strategies among in-school adolescents in Imo State, Nigeria. The study population comprised 975,000 in-school adolescents in Imo State. A concurrent triangulation mixed methods approach was adopted. The sample size was 3,042, comprising 2,940 drawn through multi-stage sampling procedure for quantitative data collection, 72 drawn using convenience sampling for qualitative data collection, and 30 experts that indicated the developed strategies appropriate. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating the Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale, an 8-item Peer Pressure Questionnaire, and a 9-item Media Influence Scale, while In-depth Interview Guide was used for qualitative data collection. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, chisquare tests, and multivariable logistic regression at 0.05 significance level. Results showed that peer victimization was reported by 2,022 (68.8%) respondents. Higher peer pressure and media influence were reported by 23.2% and 25.3% of respondents, respectively. Peer pressure was significantly associated with peer victimization at the bivariate level (p = .019). However, after adjustment, neither higher peer pressure (AOR = 1.072, p = .507) nor higher media influence (AOR = 0.845, p = .106) was significantly associated with peer victimization. Academic class, school type, school location, and parental income were independently associated with victimization. Peer victimization was highly prevalent among the surveyed adolescents. School authorities should implement targeted peer victimization prevention programmes for in-school adolescents to promote safer and more supportive school environments.