Self-regulation of behaviour in the context of peer pressure and risk behaviour

Abstract

In their research the authors focused on uncovering the mechanisms of self-regulation of behaviour of minors living in children's home in the context of peer pressure and problem behaviour. The aim of the research was to uncover the mechanisms of self-regulation of behaviour in adolescents (aged 15-18) living in institutionalised environment of children's homes in relation to peer pressure and risk behaviour. Researchers used a system of inductive qualitative research methods. Namely, the team applied a phenomenological approach. Out of the research techniques, they chose phenomenological interviews with open questions conducted with 15 minors living in children's homes. The data obtained were transcribed and analysed. Significant statements were sorted into groups according to their meanings and re-validated. 113 significant statements were abstracted from the interviews and classified into two main groups - statements implying a high or low level of self-regulation of behaviour. We based the research on the contention that a high level of self-regulation involves activities which the individual performs independently and freely, because they consider these important, and vice versa. The result was an extensive description of the phenomenon - i.e. the experience of adolescents of self-regulation of their own behaviour in situations where peers encourage them in risk behaviour. The results showed that a high level of self-regulation manifests itself in situations where the feeling of doing wrong comes from within. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).