Peer Drug Use: Is it due to Peer Pressure or Preference?

Description

Page: 222-225

Sunita Devi and Gunjan (Department of Applied Psychology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana)

A review is conducted on the significance of peer pressure as a primary causative element in the initiation of illegal drug use. Since the majority of the evidence offered to support this theory is associational, it is not possible to draw any conclusions about causation from it. Although data suggests that peer pressure is linked to illegal drug usage, this evidence has frequently been misinterpreted or misquoted as supporting peer influence when it could have been viewed more correctly as supporting peer priority. Many study publications define peer pressure operationally in a way that makes it obvious the researchers were just focusing on one aspect of a dynamic and reciprocal connection between individuals and peers, among others. Reclaiming the individual’s role in one’s own growth is vital, especially when it comes to the importance of motivation and choice with regard to drug use and social interaction with peers, without supposing that feelings of social or psychological inadequacy are the only reasons drug use occurs. There is a discussion of some implications for health promotion and educational initiatives.