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Navigating the social current: Identifying and resisting peer pressure

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^{This blog was originally published in February 2025 by Hannah Longley, Registered Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist. It has since been reviewed in December 2025 by Ilia Lindsay, Registered Psychologist, Komodo Head of Psychology.}

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_{*If you are experiencing negative peer pressure or bullying, we encourage you to talk to a trusted adult or support person, such as a parent or teacher, who will be able to support you more with this.}

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Peer pressure can be defined as the pressure we feel from others to behave, think, or speak in certain ways. While peer pressure can present at any time in our lives, during adolescence, it is all the more prevalent. This is understandable given that this is a key time in life where peers are usually the most valued and influential relationships. This is, in part, due to the strong desire for adolescents to fit in and to be part of a social group as they start to gain some independence from their families.

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The dual nature of peer influence

Peer pressure is often seen negatively, but it's important to first recognise the positive influence peers can have on one another. Peers can encourage each other in many constructive ways, such as promoting a strong work ethic, fostering healthy relationships, and supporting positive values and morals. This influence often manifests through leading by example, collaborating in teams, maintaining open and trusting communication, and finding a healthy balance between work and play. These relationships tend to be fulfilling and uplifting, leaving us feeling good both in the moment and long after.

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Understanding negative peer pressure

However, negative peer pressure can also present during adolescence. According to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, adolescence is the time of ‘identity vs confusion,’ meaning this is a time when young people begin gaining independence from their families and exploring their sense of self. To navigate this, teens naturally turn to their peers - who, at this stage, often hold the most influence and are the people they spend the most time with.

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As a result, adolescents may sometimes feel pressured to conform, simply because "everyone else is doing it". While this can seem harmless- like following fashion trends that don’t truly reflect their style - peer pressure can also push young people toward choices they wouldn’t normally make. This can create internal and external conflict, especially if it contradicts their values or usual behaviour. Experiencing negative peer pressure can lead to feelings of uncertainty, worry, or stress, whether in the moment or later on. Over time, repeated exposure to these pressures can have a negative impact on overall well-being.

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Building protectice qualities to resist pressure

While experiencing peer pressure during adolescence may feel inevitable, certain protective factors can help young people navigate these challenges in a healthy way. These include:

• Resilience: A resilient teen is more likely to stand firm in their values and choices, even when faced with pressure from friends, and will feel confident in making independent decisions- without fearing rejection or judgment.
• Self-esteem: Teens who have a strong sense of self-worth are less likely to seek validation through risky or uncharacteristic behaviors.
• A strong sense of self and autonomy: The opportunity to develop autonomy helps young people build confidence in making independent decisions.
• Positive Peer Relationships: A supportive social network that encourages individuality and respect can make it easier to resist negative peer influences.

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By fostering these skills, young people can build the confidence to navigate peer relationships authentically and assertively, making choices that align with their values rather than external pressures.

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Strategies to cultivate these skills

• Encouraging independence & autonomy – Allowing young people to make their own decisions and mistakes helps them develop critical thinking skills, understand that failure is part of growth, and build resilience by learning how to ‘bounce back’ from setbacks.
• ‍Building a strong & reliable support network – Teens need trustworthy relationships where support is available when needed but not overbearing. A balance of guidance and independence fosters security while allowing personal growth.‍
• Promoting accountability – Setting reasonable goals and expectations gives young people something to work towards. This doesn’t mean pressure to succeed, but rather helping them establish personal standards and a sense of responsibility for their actions.‍
• Role modeling – When adults demonstrate that it’s okay to be vulnerable, to try, and to fail, young people are more likely to feel comfortable doing the same. Openly embracing mistakes and setbacks as learning experiences fosters a healthy mindset toward growth.‍
• Facilitating positive relationships – Encouraging young people to surround themselves with supportive and respectful friends strengthens their ability to make values-aligned choices and resist negative peer influences.
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Navigating peer pressure is a challenge that all young people face at some point, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By developing resilience, self-esteem, and a strong sense of self, teens can confidently make choices that align with their values rather than external expectations. Surrounding themselves with supportive relationships and learning to embrace independence, accountability, and personal growth will further empower them to make positive decisions.

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At the same time, we can harness positive peer pressure to create environments where young people uplift and motivate each other toward healthy, constructive behaviours - such as supporting academic goals or encouraging fitness and well-being.

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At the end of the day, no one gets it right all the time. Mistakes and missteps are part of learning, and feeling pressured by peers is a natural experience. What matters most is having the tools and support to recognise when peer influence is positive or negative - and the confidence to choose what feels right.

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‍References; 

Alsarrani, A., Hunter, R. F., Dunne, L., & Garcia, L. (2022). Association between friendship quality and subjective wellbeing among adolescents: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14776-4
Jackman, D. M., & MacPhee, D. (2017). Self-esteem and future orientation predict adolescents' risk engagement. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 37(3), 307–330. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431615582962
Lodder, G. M. A., Scholte, R. H. J., Goossens, L., & Verhagen, M. (2017). Loneliness in early adolescence: Friendship quantity, friendship quality, and dyadic processes. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 46(5), 711–722. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2015.1098418
Masten, A. S. (2014). Global perspectives on resilience in children and youth. Child Development, 85(1), 6–20. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12200
Tang, A., McLaughlin, K. A., Sheridan, M. A., Nelson, C. A., & Zeanah, C. H. (2022). Autonomic reactivity to social rejection, peer difficulties, and the buffering effects of adolescent friendships following early psychosocial deprivation. Emotion, 22(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000889