A qualitative study of adolescents, parents and key informants\' experiences towards the importance of peer groups

Background and Purpose: One landmark of adolescence is the increasing value young people place on friendship and relationship with peers.The aim of this study was to determine adolescents and key informants’ perceptions and experiences regarding to importance of peer groups. Methods: Sixty-seven female adolescents (12–19 years) and 11 key informants, recruited from urban and rural areas from Sari in the North of Iran using non-probability sampling, participated in eight focus group discussions and semi structured interviews. All tape-recorded data was fully transcribed and thematic analysis was done to identify key themes. Results: Qualitative content analysis demonstrated five original categories related to importance of peer group in adolescents health including:Acceptance in peer group, Support from friends, Providing the appropriate conditions for healthy relationships with the opposite sex, Positive patterns of friendship and Avoiding from unfavorablefriends. Conclusion: Peers can have either positive or negative effects on adolescent’s health. To have the most positive impact on adolescent health, parents and community organizations must work together in a comprehensive approach.