Negative peer pressure and the impact of it on your mental health
In a context where information spreads quickly, we can easily encounter images of many "perfect" lives, “con nhà người ta” who are still young but very successful on social media and newspapers. Along with those things, peer pressure appears as a force having a significant impact on your mental health.
The pressure to keep up with everyone around you and meet their expectations can sometimes leave you exhausted. Although it is evident that peer pressure is not just about negativity, the positive influence of friends can promote your personal growth and provide emotional support. However, its negative effects are undeniable. In this article, we will dig deeper into 4 ways that peer pressure can influence your mental well-being negatively.
What is negative peer pressure?
Negative and positive influences demonstrate the same mechanism of peer pressure yet result in opposite consequences. Negative peer pressure refers to the influence exerted by peers that encourages or pressures individuals to engage in behaviors they wouldn't normally do or don't want to do to fit in that social group. It may involve situations where peers encourage actions that go against an individual's judgment, or beliefs, which may have detrimental effects on their values or personal growth.
This type of peer pressure can be especially influential during adolescence when individuals are seeking acceptance and validation from their peers. Many risky behaviours can be encouraged, such as substance abuse, underage drinking, smoking, and reckless driving if individuals can not get out of this pressure early.
How does it affect your mental health?
Research states that the presence of peer pressure is a predictor for increased stress levels, anxiety, and sleep issues (Anniko, Boersma, & Tillfors, 2018). Suffering negative peer pressure for a long time can leave you with low self-esteem and increase the vulnerability of mental health.
1. Anxiety and stress
The fear of not fitting in or being rejected by peers can lead to anxiety and stress. People may feel pressured to conform to certain behaviors or make choices that go against their own preferences or values, causing internal conflict and emotional distress.
Moreover, along with many difficult changes that occur during adolescence, such as developing sexuality, pushing boundaries, and worrying about appearance, teenagers may tend to prioritize peers' opinions over parental guidance. The fear of being left leads them to engage in risky behaviors and make decisions based on what others think, rather than making decisions guided by their interest and personal sense of wellbeing. These characteristics listed above can cause depression and anxiety vulnerable for adolescents.
2. Break your confidence
According to Dr Rahul Khemani from Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai, peer pressure may have the potential to make people mistrust themselves and break their confidence. When individuals face pressure from their peers to conform to certain behaviors, beliefs, or appearance standards, they may begin to question their own judgment, choices, and abilities, and hide their true selves. This can erode people's confidence as they must reject their authentic selves and fit into a mold dictated by others.
3. Emotional vulnerability
Peer pressure more often comes from comparing oneself to others. When individuals perceive themselves as falling short in comparison to their peers, it can trigger feelings of insecurity, inadequacy, and emotional vulnerability.
On the other hand, peer pressure may involve emotional manipulation tactics. They can use this manipulation to influence others toward their interests, including guilt-tripping, shaming, or threatening, which can make people feel emotional vulnerability and force them to comply.
4. Authentic self issues
Suffering from peer pressure for a long time can make individuals tend to cover their true selves. When individuals prioritize fitting in or seeking approval from others, they may ignore their own values. This disconnect between one's true self and the perceived expectations of peers can hinder personal development. It can create a struggle between personal true identity and external expectations.
In conclusion, being pressured by peers can be a stressful experience. Prolonged exposure to this type of stress and tension may be a factor in mental health concerns. Therefore, having support from your trusted people, such as friends, family, or mental health professionals, can provide a valuable source of guidance and emotional support during challenging times.
Phương Vy
References
4. Whyte, A. (2021, August 31). Peer Pressure and Teens with Depression and Anxiety. Evolve Treatment Centers. https://evolvetreatment.com/blog/peer-pressure-teen-depression-anxiety/
