


These include teenage mothers, same sex attracted youth, young carers and youth who have parents with a mental illness (Refs). Peer support groups have been created for diverse groups of at risk youth. Access to social support has been identified as a protective factor for mental wellbeing and is consistent with resilience theory discussed in Program Factors below. While a person’s ‘peer group’ is usually taken to mean other people of similar age or gender, individuals may also identify their peers according to shared interests, issues, life experiences or personal attributes.Īdolescents increasingly turn to their peers (if available) for social and emotional support during periods of conflict, confusion and help-seeking. Peers are not the same as friends although some peers may also be friends. Peer support is a type of social support provided by one’s peers. Since ‘peer pressure’ may be positive or negative, peer-based programs need to have measures in place to eliminate deviant or negative peer influences which may result in risk-taking and anti-social behaviours. Young people’s need to be accepted by their peers can also help change risk behaviors where these are not acceptable to the peer group. Positive peer influences encourage imitation of positive behaviours which receive social validation by the peer group and are therefore more likely to be repeated. Peer-based programs use positive peer and social influence to establish and maintain positive peer group rules/norms.

Group rules/norms may include having respect for one another not being judgmental, being inclusive, no bullying, harassment or violence, no alcohol or drug use. Positive peer group rules/normsĮstablishing positive rules and norms for the peer group has been identified by service providers as a critical ingredient (amongst others) for creating and maintaining a safe space and a way of influencing positive behaviours and attitudes within the peer group such as positive conflict resolution strategies, social skills and a focus on positives. These can be summarised as positive peer group rules/norms peer support positive group dynamics and youth engagement. The drive to be in this group is measured against the cost associated with affiliation (such as effort, anxiety, embarrassment, discomfort, etc.).The Evaluation Framework for Youth Peer Programs identifies a range of peer group factors considered important in achieving the intended impacts and outcomes of peer-based programs. That is individuals receive some benefits from association (such as personal satisfaction or gratification). This theory says that individuals associated based upon perceived cost-benefit (reward). If these common characteristics disappear, the group is generally dissolved. This theory says that individuals associated based upon similarities or commonalities in how they address similar objectives or goals.

This theory says that informal groups arise as a result of individual interaction, common activities, and personal sentiments that attach as a result of pursuant to a common group goal. This theory says that individuals form informal social groups based upon their physical proximity or closeness to other group members. Back to: Business Management What is Propinquity Theory? Several common theories are discussed below. Various theories exist concerning the reason that informal groups arise.
#Theories of group dynamics ppt update
Update Table of Contents Theories for Group Formation What is Propinquity Theory? What is Homan's Interaction Theory? What is Balance Theory? What is Exchange Theory? Theories for Group Formation
