The Impact of Role Models on Academic and Social Outcomes in Adolescents in Thailand

Kodchasorn Rattanavichai, Nattaporn Siriprachaya

The Newton Sixth Form School (Thailand)

This research explores the influence of role models on the academic interest, social behavior, confidence, and emotional well-being of adolescents in Thailand. Using a structured survey distributed online, data were collected from 135 adolescents aged 13–18. The results indicate that a significant majority of adolescents (79.2%) have role models, with celebrities and artists being the most frequently identified. Adolescents with role models reported lower engagement in risky behaviors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, and higher levels of confidence and happiness compared to those without role models. However, academic interest was slightly lower among adolescents with role models, possibly due to the prominence of non-academic figures such as celebrities, whose success may be perceived as independent of educational achievement. These findings highlight the multifaceted role of role models in adolescent development and emphasize the importance of promoting role models who embody positive values, resilience, and academic or professional integrity to support adolescents’ holistic growth and aspirations.

Article link: https://www.asianinstituteofresearch.org/EQRarchives/the-impact-of-role-models-on-academic-and-social-outcomes-in-adolescents-in-thailand