©Cyprus Samaritans 2010
Reg. Charity No. 1875

It is a term describing a person’s changes in attitude, behaviour and morals influenced by their peer group.  Peer pressure can be positive but can also be negative.

Negative peer pressure is when you are persuaded by your peers to do something that is wrong or unwise.

For example.  Your friends ask you if you want to try a cigarette, and you say no.  But they keep asking you again and again.  If you give in and try a cigarette, you will have been influenced by negative peer pressure.

Positive peer pressure is when peers have a positive influence on each other.

For example. If your friends successfully encourage you to revise for an exam then you will have been influenced by positive peer pressure.

Having a friend who also wants to resist peer pressure will boost your self-confidence a lot.  It makes peer pressure easier to handle, and resist. 

It is also useful to have someone who you can trust to talk to about the matter.

How are you influenced by your peers?