Abstract
The role of deviant peers in adolescent antisocial behavior has been well documented, but less is known about individual differences
in susceptibility to negative peer influence. This study examined whether specific temperament dimensions moderate the prospective
relationship between peer deviance and delinquent behavior in early adolescence. Participants included 704 adolescents recruited
from the community. At baseline, parents provided information on adolescents’ temperament and youth reported on their own
and their friends’ delinquent behavior. Self-reports of adolescents’ delinquent behavior were collected again 16 months later.
Peer deviance was related to delinquent behavior over time more strongly for adolescents with low levels of task orientation,
flexibility, and positive mood, compared to youth with high levels of task orientation, flexibility, and positive mood. Analyses
of gender differences indicated that low flexibility increased susceptibility to negative peer influence only for males, but
not females. General activity level and sleep rhythmicity did not moderate the effect of peer behavior on delinquency.
in susceptibility to negative peer influence. This study examined whether specific temperament dimensions moderate the prospective
relationship between peer deviance and delinquent behavior in early adolescence. Participants included 704 adolescents recruited
from the community. At baseline, parents provided information on adolescents’ temperament and youth reported on their own
and their friends’ delinquent behavior. Self-reports of adolescents’ delinquent behavior were collected again 16 months later.
Peer deviance was related to delinquent behavior over time more strongly for adolescents with low levels of task orientation,
flexibility, and positive mood, compared to youth with high levels of task orientation, flexibility, and positive mood. Analyses
of gender differences indicated that low flexibility increased susceptibility to negative peer influence only for males, but
not females. General activity level and sleep rhythmicity did not moderate the effect of peer behavior on delinquency.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-011-9550-2
- Authors
- Sylvie Mrug, Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1530 3rd Ave South, CH 415, Birmingham, AL 35294-1170, USA
- Anjana Madan, Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1530 3rd Ave South, CH 415, Birmingham, AL 35294-1170, USA
- Michael Windle, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627