The moderating role of resilience in the relationship between peer pressure and risky behaviors among nursing students

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the moderating role of resilience in the relationship between peer pressure and risky behaviors among nursing students.

Design and methods: A cross-sectional correlational study carried out with 512 students.

Findings: The mean age was 20.90 ± 1.66. Of the students, 82.4% were females 99.0% were single, 71.5% had moderate socioeconomic status. While peer pressure directly made an effect on whole subdimensions for risky behaviors (p < 0.001), resilience had an effect on antisocial behavior, dropout, eating habits, and suicidal tendency (p < 0.001). Moderation was supported as the relationship between peer pressure and substance use varied by resilience level (p < 0.001). PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Students with high levels of resilience are less prone to exhibit some risky behaviors based on peer pressure. Resilience-building strategies should be incorporated into the curriculum.

Keywords: nursing education; nursing students; peer pressure; resilience; risky behaviors.