Empowering Minds: Exploring the Library's Influence on Peer Pressure among Nigerian Undergraduates
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/bpas.2023.43.2.7Keywords:
Academic libraries, Peer pressure, Undergraduate students, Nigeria, Physical books, Online resources, librariansAbstract
This study explores the role of academic libraries in shaping peer pressure among Nigerian undergraduate students. Using a cross-sectional research design, data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Of the 537 students surveyed, the findings reveal that male students are more likely than female students to feel pressured to engage in negative behaviors like dressing inappropriately, engaging in sexual activity, and gambling. However, libraries can mitigate this by providing online books, while physical books and library personnel can influence positive peer pressure. Close friends were found to exert greater negative peer pressure than classmates or random students. The study concludes that academic libraries play significant role in shaping peer pressure among undergraduate students in Nigeria. Therefore, it is recommended that academic libraries should focus on providing a diverse range of reading materials, fostering a supportive environment for literacy and reading conversations, and empowering students to select their reading material.
Downloads
References
Aabø, S., Audunson, R., & Vårheim, A. (2010). How do public libraries function as meeting places? Library & Information Science Research, 32(1), 16–26.
Adetayo, A. J. (2021). Leveraging Bring Your Own Device for Mobility of Library Reference Services: The Nigerian Perspective. The Reference Librarian, 62(2), 106–125.
Adetayo, A. J. (2022). Are Physical Libraries Popular for Research in the Internet Age Post COVID-19? Internet Reference Services Quarterly, 1–15.
Adkins, D., & Brendler, B. M. (2015). Libraries and reading motivation. IFLA Journal, 41(2), 129–139.
Aihie, O. N., & Ohanaka, B. I. (2019). Perceived Academic Stress among Undergraduate Students in a Nigerian University. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 9(2), 56–66.
Ajidahun, B. O. (2017). Sexual Promiscuity and Health Issues among Female Undergraduate Students in Adekunle Ajasin University: Counselling Implications. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 8(6), 117.
ALA. (2017, October 5). New ACRL report highlights library contributions to student learning and success. https://www.ala.org/news/member
news/2017/05/new-acrl-report-highlights library-contributions-student-learning-and success
Amina, S. (2020, February 26). Challenges of university education in Nigeria. The Guardian. https://guardian.ng/opinion/challenges of-university-education-in-nigeria/
Bennett, S., Demas, S., Freeman, G. T., Frischer, B., Oliver, K. B., & Peterson, C. A. (2005). Library as place : Rethinking roles,
rethinking space. Council on Library and Information Resources.
Devitt, R. (2022, April 13). Negative Peer Pressure in School: Effects on Students & Solutions. How Do I Homeschool. https://howdoihomeschool.com/why
homeschool-reasons/negative-peer
pressure-school-effects/
Ebong, R. D. (1994). Sexual promiscuity: knowledge of dangers in institutions of higher learning. Journal of the Royal Society of Health, 114(3), 137–139.
Fagbe, A., Amanze, R. C., Sunday, O., Oyenuga, E., & Adetunji, O. (2015). The role of information technology (IT) in the academic library. 3rd School of Education and Humanities International Conference on the Future of Higher Education in Africa. https://www.researchgate.net/publication
/334361683_THE_ROLE_OF_INFORMATI ON_TECHNOLOGY_IT_IN_THE_ACADE MIC_LIBRARY
Hartney, E. (2022, October 6). What Is Peer Pressure?: Types, Examples, and How to Deal With Peer Pressure. Very Well Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is
peer-pressure-22246
Ismail, W. H. W., & Chi, L. T. S. (2018). Public Library as a Social Interactive Space. Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 3(7), 95–101.
Kakwagh, V. V. (2018). Perception of Academic Dishonesty and Participation by Undergraduate Students of Kogi State University, Anyigba . Research and Scientific Innovation Society (RSIS International), 2(5), 42–45.
https://www.rsisinternational.org/virtual library/papers/perception-academic dishonesty-participation-undergraduate students-kogi-state-university-anyigba/
Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2019). A systematic review: the influence of social media on depression, anxiety and psychological distress in adolescents. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 79–93.
Kim, J.-A. (2016). Dimensions of User Perception of Academic Library as Place.
The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 42(5), 509–514.
Mason, M. J., Zaharakis, N. M., Rusby, J. C., Westling, E., Light, J. M., Mennis, J., & Flay, B. R. (2017). A longitudinal study predicting adolescent tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use by behavioral characteristics of close friends. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors : Journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors, 31(6), 712–720.
Maxwell, K. A. (2002). Friends: The role of peer influence across adolescent risk behaviors. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 31(4), 267–277.
McCoy, S. S., Dimler, L. M., Samuels, D. V., & Natsuaki, M. N. (2019). Adolescent Susceptibility to Deviant Peer Pressure: Does Gender Matter? Adolescent Research Review, 4(1), 59–71.
Medical News Today. (2022, October 26). What to know about peer pressure and drugs. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/artic les/peer-pressure-drugs
Omniconvert. (2023, January 6). What is Sample Size? Definition . https://www.omniconvert.com/what is/sample-size/
Omowaye, O., Olagundoye, H., Balogun, M., & Omolayo, B. (2015). Perception of Undergraduate Students on Peer Pressure, Environment, Gender and Self-esteem towards Virginity. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 5(22), 93–96.
Oyeboade, J. A. (2017). Socio-economic status, peer pressure, and use of social media by undergraduate students in University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice (e
Journal).
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilpra c/1495
Patil, S. K., & Pradhan, P. (2014). Library Promotion Practices and Marketing of Library Services: A Role of Library Professionals. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 133, 249–254.
Poliakoff, M. (n.d.). Data Show Alcohol and Drug Use Hinder Academic Performance. Campus Drug Prevention. Retrieved March
, 2023, from https://www.campusdrugprevention.gov/ views-from-the-field/data-show-alcohol and-drug-use-hinder-academic-performance
Tolu-Kolawole, D. (2022, January 11). Nigeria has only 100,000 lecturers for 2.1 million varsity students – NUC. Punch. https://punchng.com/nigeria-has-only
-lecturers-for-2-1-million-varsity students-nuc/
Ukonu, M. O., Wogu, J. O., & Obayi, P. (2012). Problems and Challenges Facing the University Of Nigeria Undergraduate
**********
Students in the Use of the Unn Digital Library. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 3(2), 4–12.
Yevelson-Shorsher, A., & Bronstein, J. (2018). Three Perspectives on Information Literacy in Academia: Talking to Librarians, Faculty, and Students. College & Research Libraries, 79(4), 535.
Yusuf, F. A. (2011). Factors Influencing Substance Abuse among Undergraduate Students in Osun State, Nigeria. African Research Review, 4(4), 330–340.
