Peer influence, the social pressure exerted by one’s peers to adopt their attitudes, values, and behaviours, is often associated with adolescence. However, its impact on mental well-being extends across the lifespan, significantly affecting adults as well.
“At its core, peer influence arises from the fundamental human desire for belonging and social acceptance. It can manifest overtly, through direct requests or demands, or subtly, through unspoken social norms and expectations,” explains Janine Brink, a life coach from Cape Town.
“For adolescents, this might involve pressure to experiment with substances, conform to fashion trends, engage in risky behaviours, or achieve academically. In adulthood, it can take the form of pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle, adhere to workplace culture, make specific financial decisions, or even adopt particular political viewpoints,” she elaborates.
In recent years, social media have also become a powerful form of peer pressure. If you overuse or incorrectly use social media, continually exposing yourself to other people’s lifestyles and believing that it is a true reflection of their lives, it can cause you to feel pressured to live up to their standards and achievements. This can lead to serious mental issues and feelings of inadequacy.
How peer pressure impacts mental health
Unfortunately, the pressure to fit in with peers can impact our mental health. When we constantly feel like we need to conform to certain expectations, it can easily lead to feelings of not being good enough, anxiety, and a change in how we see and accept ourselves. We might even go against what we truly believe in just to be accepted, which can leave us feeling guilty, regretful. It can make us feel as if we’re losing touch with who we are.
The fear of being left out can be especially harmful, making us feel alone and isolated, which can contribute to depression and other mental health issues. What’s more, when peer pressure pushes us into risky behaviours like using drugs or driving dangerously, the consequences can be serious and long-lasting, affecting both our bodies and our minds.
Peer pressure in the workplace
Peer pressure can also impact individuals in the workplace, influencing behaviour, productivity, job satisfaction, and the overall atmosphere. This can manifest as pressure to conform to group norms like work habits and dress codes, affect performance and productivity by driving individuals to work harder for acceptance, impact ethical behaviour if unethical actions are normalised, and shape workplace culture, fostering either a supportive or toxic environment.
In addition, peer pressure can either hinder or encourage innovation and risk-taking, affecting job satisfaction based on feelings of acceptance or pressure to fit in. This can contribute to stress and mental health issues through the constant need to meet colleagues’ expectations.
However, companies and organisations can mitigate these negative effects by cultivating an inclusive and supportive culture, establishing clear ethical guidelines, promoting open communication, and implementing training programmes focused on teamwork, diversity, and stress management, thereby empowering employees to navigate and overcome workplace peer pressure.
Peer pressure and addiction
One of the main areas where peer influence can have negative consequences is substance use. Individuals may experience pressure from peers to consume alcohol or drugs, either directly through explicit encouragement or indirectly through the normalisation of substance use within a social group. This could potentially contribute to the development of substance use disorders and addiction.
However, positive peer influence can also discourage substance use.
Who are the most vulnerable
While peer influence can affect individuals of any age, certain populations are more vulnerable.
“Adolescents, with their evolving identities and heightened sensitivity to social acceptance, are particularly susceptible. Those with pre-existing mental health conditions, lower self-esteem, or a strong need for external validation may also find it more challenging to resist peer influence. People who feel alone or are in new social situations can be more easily influenced because they want to fit in,” Brink notes.
Positive peer pressure
Peer pressure is not always detrimental. When friends encourage each other in good ways, it can lead to positive behaviours. They can motivate us to eat healthy, do well in school or work, be kind to others, and develop good habits. Having supportive friends makes us feel like we belong, that we matter, and gives us confidence, which is great for our mental health and to help us bounce back from tough times.
It can be tricky to tell the difference between good and bad peer influence. Knowing yourself well and understanding what you believe in is the best way to protect yourself. This helps you make choices based on what you think is right, not just what others want you to do.
What you can do to avoid negative peer pressure
Establishing a strong support system comprising friends and family who respect individual choices and offer unconditional acceptance is vital. Developing the ability to assert oneself and respectfully but firmly decline unwanted requests is an essential skill. This involves setting boundaries and prioritising one’s well-being, even if it means diverging from group norms. Furthermore, use social media wisely. Reflect on what truly matters to you and what your core beliefs and values are and use these as your compass. Seek out content that uplifts, educates, or aligns with your interests without promoting unrealistic standards, Brink concludes.
When peer pressure feels unmanageable and is impacting your mental health and values, remember that LifeAssist can provide support. Don’t hesitate to contact them.