Peer Group Influence and Deviant Behaviour Among Secondary School Adolescents in Lagos State

This study examines the influence of peer groups on deviant behaviour among secondary school adolescents in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. Adolescence is characterised by heightened susceptibility to peer pressure, and Lagos, as Nigeria's most populous urban centre, presents a complex social environment where adolescent behaviour is shaped by diverse peer networks. The study adopts a descriptive survey design, recruiting 350 students aged 13 to 17 from six secondary schools in Lagos Mainland and Lagos Island Local Government Areas. A structured questionnaire measuring peer influence and a validated deviant behaviour inventory were employed. Data were analysed using chi-square tests and logistic regression. Results show that peer group conformity significantly predicts engagement in behaviours such as truancy, substance use, and examination malpractice. Students whose close peer groups displayed prosocial attitudes reported significantly lower deviant behaviour scores. Family communication style was identified as a moderating variable, with students from open-communication households showing greater resistance to negative peer influence. The study draws on social learning theory to interpret the mechanisms through which peer modelling operates in school environments. School counsellors and parents in Lagos are urged to establish structured mentorship programmes and peer-led support groups as preventive measures. Policy attention should be directed at reducing overcrowding in Lagos public schools, which has been linked to weakened teacher-student relationships and increased peer dependency. Keywords: peer group influence, deviant behaviour, adolescents, Lagos, social learning theory.