Abstract
Driven by existing socialization theories, this study describes specific friendship contexts in which peer influence of alcohol
misuse and depressive symptoms occurs. In the fall and spring of the school year, surveys were administered to 704 Italian
adolescents (53 % male, M
age = 15.53) enrolled in Grades 9, 10 and 11. Different friendship contexts were distinguished based on two dimensions referring
to the level (i.e., best friendships and friendship networks) and reciprocity (i.e., unilateral and reciprocal) of the relationships.
Social network and dyadic analyses were applied in a complementary manner to estimate peer socialization effects across the
different friendship contexts. Results showed that within friendship networks both male and female adolescents’ alcohol misuse
was affected by friends’ alcohol misuse, regardless of whether the relationship was reciprocated or not. Conversely, peer
socialization of depressive symptoms only emerged within very best friendship dyads of female adolescents. Findings suggest
that the effects of peer socialization depend on the friendship context and specific types of behaviors. The theoretical and
methodological implications of the findings are discussed.
misuse and depressive symptoms occurs. In the fall and spring of the school year, surveys were administered to 704 Italian
adolescents (53 % male, M
age = 15.53) enrolled in Grades 9, 10 and 11. Different friendship contexts were distinguished based on two dimensions referring
to the level (i.e., best friendships and friendship networks) and reciprocity (i.e., unilateral and reciprocal) of the relationships.
Social network and dyadic analyses were applied in a complementary manner to estimate peer socialization effects across the
different friendship contexts. Results showed that within friendship networks both male and female adolescents’ alcohol misuse
was affected by friends’ alcohol misuse, regardless of whether the relationship was reciprocated or not. Conversely, peer
socialization of depressive symptoms only emerged within very best friendship dyads of female adolescents. Findings suggest
that the effects of peer socialization depend on the friendship context and specific types of behaviors. The theoretical and
methodological implications of the findings are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-17
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-012-9625-8
- Authors
- Matteo Giletta, Department of Psychology, University of Torino, via Verdi 10, 10124 Torino, Italy
- Ron H. J. Scholte, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Mitchell J. Prinstein, Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Rutger C. M. E. Engels, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Emanuela Rabaglietti, Department of Psychology, University of Torino, via Verdi 10, 10124 Torino, Italy
- William J. Burk, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627