Effect of Socio Dynamic Aspects of Peer Influences amongst Day Scholars and Boarders of Senior Secondary Schools in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Peer influence is one of the most crucial factorsaffecting adolescents’ behaviour.Peer influence has multiple dimensions thatmanifest aspositive and negative.Positive interventions are suggested to overcome the negative influences of peers. The present study aims to ascertain the peer influence experienced by Senior Secondary School Day Scholars and Boarders who reside in Tamil Nadu in the domains of socialising and career decision-making. A quantitativedescriptiveapproach is adopted where the data is collected from a cross-sectional population of Class XI and XII standard students from various schools in the state, who form the units of analysis. The study has addressed the research gap in assessing the characteristics of peer influence amongst Boarding School and Day School Children. Results indicate that mode of boarding, i.e., Day Scholars and Hosleters have significantly different peer pressure. Based on the outcome of the study, interventions at various levelsto minimize the ill effects of peer influence have been suggested.