Influence of Peer Pressure on the Perception and Adherence of Church Worship of Christian Youths Aged 15-25 Years in Mwiki Ward, Nairobi County

Abstract

This study focused on the influence of peer pressure on the perception and adherence of church worship by Christian youths of ages 15-25 years in Mwiki, Nairobi County. The first objective was to probe the extent to which peer pressure affects the perception of church worship for a Christian youth living in Mwiki ward, Nairobi County. The findings of the first objective showed that peer pressure affects the perception of church worship for a Christian youth. This means that a youth’s perception may be influenced by the peers on how they perceive adherence to church worship either negatively or positively if the social context at that particular moment is seen to be appropriate by the rules being enacted there and to the group members who are present. The second objective was to examine the extent to which peer pressure influences adherence of church worship in a Christian youth in Mwiki ward, Nairobi County. The findings towards the second objective was that peer pressure influences adherence of church worship. This means that if there is positive peer influence in a group the youth belongs to, they will commit to church but if the influence is negative then the youth may show low adherence or none at all. The third objective was to determine the relationship of perception and adherence of church worship of Christian youths faced with peer pressure living in Mwiki ward, Nairobi County. The findings of the third objective showed no relationship between perception and adherence of church worship. This means perception does not influence adherence to church worship but instead the type of church attended for worship has a significant influence on adherence to church worship. The study’s first hypothesis was to test and prove there is no influence of peer pressure on the perception of church worship for a Christian youth. The second one was to test and prove there is a relationship between peer pressure and how a Christian youth will commit to church worship. The third one was to test and prove there is a relationship between perception and adherence of church worship of a Christian youth faced with peer pressure. This study used the case study research design and qualitative data was coded and analyzed for emerging themes and presented them through narrations. Sampling procedure used focused on probability sampling. Each sample was selected through stratified sampling for the youths, parents/caregivers and youth leaders and ministers. Standardized primary instruments for collecting information used included; interviews that were conducted one on one. Questionnaires were of closed ended questions and focus group discussions were semi-structured interview. The study also found out that spoken peer pressure is more influential than unspoken peer pressure which is a recommendation of further studies on this.