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

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.