Exploring Peer Group Role in Drug Abuse & Academic Performance: A Cross Sectional Analysis of Universities of District Mardan

Authors

  • Farooq Shah M.Phil scholar Bacha Khan University Charsadda
  • Muhammad Kaleem Assistant Professor of Sociology, Bacha Khan University Charsadda
  • Irfan Ullah Senior Teacher National Special Education Complex Mardan

Abstract

This study attempts to examine peer group role in drug abuse and academic performance of students. The study's sole purpose was to document the role of a peer group in Drug Abuse and Academic Performance between students of Abdul Wali Khan University and Engineering and Technology University Mardan. A sample of 375 students was selected from both universities with the help of Ume Sekaran Magic Table. The distribution of the sample among the selected categories of respondents was made through a famous technique of sampling called Sample random sampling (SRS) technique. Close ended structured questionnaire was employed for primary data collection after pretesting. The analysis on collected data was made both at uni-variate and bi-variate levels by applying the Chi-Square test to ascertain the association among the independent and dependent variables. The Analysis reveals a significant association between the dependent and independent variables. The study concluded that Drug abusing peers, imitation from peers group, peers group pressure, peer influence on one’s decisions and the peers' motivation to abuse drugs were the major reasons behind drug-abusing among students and has a major impact on their academic performance. In addition, the monitoring of children’s routine activities by parents is seen as helpful and important in the prevention of such practices among students. The study recommended that inter-communication and connectedness between children and parents is required for identifying and resolving issues related to daily life as a result children’s inclination towards drug abuse will be minimal. Additionally, association with deviant peer groups shall be avoided to refrain from misdemeanors such as drug abuse.

Keywords:  Drug Abuse, Adolescents, Drug paddlers, Academic Performance, Social wellbeing.

Published

2021-12-27