In today’s society, the influence of peers has a significant impact on adolescents. Peer pressure can manifest in various forms, affecting different aspects of their lives, including appearance and self-image. But do girls face more peer pressure than boys? Let’s delve into a recent study to find out.

Participants and Procedure

This study focused on middle- and upper-class students in grades 7 to 9 from six German high schools. The research received approval from the ethics commission and the local ministry of education. Teachers presented written information to the students and their parents, collecting consent forms from those who agreed to participate. Out of 1,342 students, 1,113 (83%) returned their consent forms and completed the questionnaire during a regular lesson. The final sample size for analysis was 1,112 students.

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Measures

The study employed several measures to assess weight status and appearance-related social pressure. Body-mass index (BMI) was computed based on self-reported age, weight, and height. The percentile ranking of BMI was then assigned using the World Health Organization (WHO) norms for age and gender. Weight status was categorized as underweight, low average weight, high average weight, or overweight.

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To gauge appearance-related social pressure, the researchers developed the Appearance-Related Social Pressure Questionnaire (FASD). This questionnaire consisted of 32 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The questionnaire captured two aspects: peer pressure and parental pressure. Each aspect comprised four scales, which encompassed different types of appearance-related social pressure.

Parental Pressure

The parental pressure section evaluated four scales:

• Parental Teasing: Measures direct aspects of pressure from parents, including negative comments or disparaging gestures.
• Injustice and Ignorance: Assesses the feeling of being accepted only when looking better or being ignored for not looking good.
• Parental Encouragement to Control Weight and Shape: Focuses on direct but not obviously disparaging comments by parents, encouraging attention to one’s body shape.
• Parental Norms and Modeling: Explores the indirect pressure through parental appearance standards and efforts to look good.

Peer Pressure

The section on peer pressure included the following four scales:

• Peer Teasing: Examines direct types of pressure from peers, such as disparaging comments and gestures.
• Exclusion: Explores the feeling of being ignored or excluded from social events due to appearance.
• School and Class Norms: Investigates the indirect aspect of peer pressure, specifically the importance of appearance in school and class.
• Modeling by Friends: Focuses on appearance standards set by friends and efforts to achieve those standards.

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The FASD questionnaire demonstrated good internal consistency and reliability. It has been used in various studies, ensuring its psychometric quality.

Statistical Analyses

All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 15.0. Preliminary analyses, including ANOVA and the chi-square test, were conducted to investigate sample characteristics and differences in group formation. To examine the perception of different types of social pressure, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed, considering gender, grade-level, and BMI as factors. The mean scores of all FASD subscales were used in the analysis. Wilks’ Lambda was reported as the multivariate test criterion, with Bonferroni correction applied for post hoc univariate analysis.

Conclusion

Understanding the dynamics of peer pressure among adolescents is crucial in addressing the challenges they face. This study sheds light on the prevalence of appearance-related social pressure and its impact on girls and boys. By examining both parental and peer pressure, researchers can uncover valuable insights into how these influences shape adolescents’ self-perception. As we strive to foster a supportive environment for young individuals, it is essential to consider the various sources and types of social pressure they encounter.

Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: Blog