Peer Influence in Children and Adolescents: Crossing the Bridge from Developmental to Intervention Science

Considerable evidence supports the hypothesis that peer relationships influence the growth of problem behavior in youth. Developmental research consistently documents the high levels of covariation between peer and youth deviance, even controlling for selection effects. Ironically, the most common public interventions for deviant youth involve segregation from mainstream peers and aggregation into settings with other deviant youth. Developmental research on peer influence suggests that desired positive effects of group interventions in education, mental health, juvenile justice, and community programming may be offset by deviant peer influences in these settings. Given the public health policy issues raised by these findings, there is a need to better understand the conditions under which these peer contagion effects are most pronounced with respect to intervention foci and context, the childs developmental level, and specific strategies for managing youth behavior in groups.     

Association with Delinquent Peers: Intervention Effects for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

Although association with delinquent peers is a recognized precursor to ongoing delinquency problems, youth in the juvenile justice system are commonly prescribed intervention services that aggregate delinquent youth. However, little is known about the process variables that mediate the relationship between aggregating youth in intervention settings and poor subsequent outcomes. We examined data from two randomized intervention trials (one male sample and one female sample) with delinquent adolescents placed either in Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC) or in group care. Path analyses suggested that the MTFC youth had fewer associations with delinquent peers at 12 months than did the group care youth. Further, associating with delinquent peers during the course of the intervention mediated the relationship between group condition and 12-month delinquent peer association. Implications for the development of interventions with delinquent youth are discussed.     

When interventions harm. Peer groups and problem behavior.

This article explored developmental and intervention evidence relevant to iatrogenic effects in peer-group interventions. Longitudinal research revealed that "deviancy training" within adolescent friendships predicts increases in delinquency, substance use, violence, and adult maladjustment. Moreover, findings from 2 experimentally controlled intervention studies suggested that peer-group interventions increase adolescent problem behavior and negative life outcomes in adulthood, compared with control youth. The data from both experimental studies suggested that high-risk youth are particularly vulnerable to peer aggregations, compared with low-risk youth. We proposed that peer aggregation during early adolescence, under some circumstances, inadvertently reinforces problem behavior. Two developmental processes are discussed that might account for the powerful iatrogenic effects.     

Examining Externalizing Behavior Trajectories of Youth in Group Homes: Is there Evidence for Peer Contagion?

Although concerns about peer contagion are often cited in critiques of group treatments for troubled youths, few studies have examined the effects of exposure to deviant peers in residential group care settings. This study used administrative data of youth served at Boys Town, a nationally-known group care provider. Using latent class growth analysis, this study identified the externalizing behavior trajectories of youth in group care as well as the behavior trajectory of the peers with whom they lived, assessed the relationship between youth trajectory classes and individual and peer group characteristics as well as the relationship between an individual youth’s behavior pattern and the behavior pattern of proximal peers. Several results suggested the presence of peer contagion in group care: a trajectory class of gradually increasing externalizing behavior problems, the strength of deviant peer density in predicting an individual youth’s externalizing behavior trajectories and significant associations between behavior patterns of youth and proximal peers. While there is some evidence that suggests an increase in problem behavior during care, results from this study indicated that over 90% of the youth did not have an increase in problem behaviors and that positive peer influences may also be protective and inhibit problem behaviors.     

越轨同伴交往与青少年睡眠问题的交叉滞后分析

本研究采用交叉滞后设计探讨越轨同伴交往与青少年睡眠问题之间的双向关系。通过越轨同伴交往问卷与匹兹堡睡眠质量指数（PSQI）对广东省某地区887名青少年（43.90%男生; M = 15.55）进行为期一学年的追踪研究。在控制了性别、年龄后,结果发现:（1）学年初始的睡眠问题可以显著正向预测青少年学年末的越轨同伴交往（b2 = 0.12, SE = .05, p < .05）,即青少年在学年初始睡眠问题越多,学年末则表现出更多的越轨同伴交往;（2）研究并未发现学年初始的青少年越轨同伴交往可以显著预测其学年末的睡眠问题（b1 = –0.07, SE = .06, p > .05）。因此,本研究的结果支持了睡眠问题对青少年越轨同伴交往的单向预测作用,即睡眠问题可能是增加青少年越轨同伴交往的重要风险因素之一。     

同伴排斥与青少年早期饮酒行为:同伴侵害和不良同伴的中介效应

采用同伴提名、同伴侵害问卷、不良同伴问卷和饮酒行为问卷调查广东地区4所普通初级中学1386名7年级学生,考察了同伴排斥与青少年早期饮酒行为的关系,以及同伴侵害和结交不良同伴在其中的链式中介效应。结果发现:(1)同伴排斥、同伴侵害和结交不良同伴均与青少年早期的饮酒行为呈显著正相关;(2)同伴侵害和结交不良同伴在同伴排斥影响青少年早期饮酒行为过程中的链式中介效应显著,即同伴排斥通过增加同伴侵害,从而提高结交不良同伴的风险,进而增加青少年早期的饮酒行为;(3)在控制同伴侵害和结交不良同伴后,同伴排斥对青少年早期的饮酒行为仍存在显著预测作用。     

Understanding Mechanisms of Change in the Development of Antisocial Behavior: The Impact of a Universal Intervention

The association between the development of antisocial behavior, affiliation with deviant friends, and peer rejection was tested with a preventive intervention; 664 boys and girls were randomly assigned to a universal classroom-based intervention targeting disruptive behavior or a control condition. Peer nominations of antisocial behavior, friends' antisocial behavior, and peer rejection were assessed annually for 4 years. A high, a moderate, and a stable low antisocial behavior trajectory were identified. Large reductions in antisocial behavior were found among intervention children who followed the high trajectory. These reductions coincided with affiliations with nondeviant peers and with decreases in peer rejection. The affiliation between deviant and nondeviant peers was initiated by nondeviant children. The results support a causal role of deviant friends and peer rejection in the development of antisocial behavior. The implications for our understanding of the mechanisms leading to reductions in antisocial behavior are discussed.     

Risk Factors for Community Violence Exposure in Adolescence

Community violence is recognized a significant public health problem. However, only a paucity of research has examined risk factors for community violence exposure across domains relevant to adolescents or using longitudinal data. This study examined youth aggressive behavior in relation to community violence exposure among a community epidemiologically defined sample of 582 (45% female) urban adolescents. Internalizing behaviors, deviant peer affiliation, and parental monitoring were examined as moderators of the association between aggressive behavior and exposure to community violence. For males with aggressive behavior problems and deviant peer affiliation or low parental monitoring, co-occurring anxiety symptoms protected against subsequent witnessing community violence. In contrast, males with aggressive behavior problems and co-occurring depressive symptoms were at increased risk for witnessing community violence. Implications of the findings for preventive interventions and future research are discussed.     

越轨同伴交往与青少年问题性网络使用的交叉滞后分析

本研究采用交叉滞后设计探讨越轨同伴交往与青少年问题性网络使用之间的双向关系。通过越轨同伴交往、问题性网络使用诊断工具对广东省某地区886名青少年（44.0%男生; M = 15.55）进行为期一学年的追踪研究。在控制性别后发现:（1）学年初始的越轨同伴交往可以显著正向预测青少年学年末的问题性网络使用（b1 = .05, SE = .03, p < .05）,即青少年在学年初始越轨同伴交往越多,学年末则表现出更多的问题性网络使用;（2）学年初始的青少年问题性网络使用可以显著正向预测其学年末的越轨同伴交往（b2 = .08, SE = .03, p < .05）。（3）越轨同伴交往与青少年问题性网络使用的双向关系存在性别差异。     

越轨同伴交往与青少年问题性网络使用的交叉滞后分析

本研究采用交叉滞后设计探讨越轨同伴交往与青少年问题性网络使用之间的双向关系。通过越轨同伴交往、问题性网络使用诊断工具对广东省某地区886名青少年（44.0%男生; M = 15.55）进行为期一学年的追踪研究。在控制性别后发现:（1）学年初始的越轨同伴交往可以显著正向预测青少年学年末的问题性网络使用（b1 = .05, SE = .03, p < .05）,即青少年在学年初始越轨同伴交往越多,学年末则表现出更多的问题性网络使用;（2）学年初始的青少年问题性网络使用可以显著正向预测其学年末的越轨同伴交往（b2 = .08, SE = .03, p < .05）。（3）越轨同伴交往与青少年问题性网络使用的双向关系存在性别差异。     

亲子依恋与初中生亲社会行为:有调节的中介效应

亲社会行为是个体在人际交往中表现出的谦让、帮助、合作、分享等行为,是青少年社会能力发展的重要方面。以往研究表明,安全的亲子依恋对亲社会行为具有重要影响,但亲子依恋发挥作用的具体机制及作用条件还有待深入探讨。本研究在发展系统理论及依恋理论指导下,构建一个有调节的中介效应模型,检验心理资本在亲子依恋与亲社会行为之间的中介作用,以及不良同伴交往对上述中介路径的调节作用。采用亲子依恋问卷、心理资本问卷、不良同伴交往问卷以及亲社会行为问卷对737名初中生进行测查。结构方程模型分析表明:(1)在控制了年龄、性别和社会经济地位后,亲子依恋对亲社会行为具有显著的正向预测作用。(2)中介效应检验表明,心理资本在亲子依恋与亲社会行为之间具有完全中介作用。(3)有调节的中介效应检验进一步表明,不良同伴交往调节了"亲子依恋→心理资本→亲社会行为"的前半段,即当初中生的不良同伴交往偏多时,亲子依恋对心理资本的促进作用减弱。本研究的发现表明,安全的依恋关系有利于培养初中生的心理资本,进而促进亲社会行为。但是,较高的不良同伴交往会阻碍亲子依恋积极作用的发挥。本研究验证了家庭系统、同伴系统和个人系统对亲社会行为的联合作用,对初中生亲社会行为的培养具有一定的指导意义。     

同伴地位与青少年冒险行为的关系:一个有调节的中介模型

为探讨同伴地位影响青少年冒险行为的作用机制及条件,采用青少年冒险行为问卷、同伴提名问卷、自我控制能力问卷、同伴群体特征问卷对山东省日照市1288名初高中学生进行调查。结果发现,（1）同伴地位负向预测青少年冒险行为,该预测作用是通过交往不良同伴的中介作用实现的;（2）交往不良同伴对青少年冒险行为的预测受到个体自我控制能力的调节。对于高自我控制能力青少年,其冒险行为与交往不良同伴无关,但低自我控制能力青少年会因交往不良同伴而参与更多冒险行为。结果提示培养良好的自我素质,塑造良好的同伴环境对于青少年的健康发展有重要作用。     

家庭功能对青少年冒险行为的影响:自我控制能力与不良同伴交往的序列中介效应

采用问卷法对922名中学生进行调查,考察了家庭功能与青少年冒险行为的关系以及自我控制能力、不良同伴交往的中介作用。结果发现:(1)家庭功能、自我控制能力、不良同伴交往和冒险行为两两之间相关显著;(2)自我控制能力在家庭功能与青少年冒险行为之间起中介作用;(3)自我控制能力和不良同伴交往在家庭功能和青少年冒险行为之间构成序列中介,家庭功能对青少年冒险行为的影响主要通过家庭功能——自我控制能力——不良同伴交往——冒险行为这一路径实现。研究结果进一步揭示了家庭、同伴和个体自身因素影响青少年冒险行为的内在机制。     

EFFECTS OF A VIDEOTAPE FEEDBACK PACKAGE ON THE PEER INTERACTIONS OF CHILDREN WITH SERIOUS BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES

Peer interactions are among the greatest challenges experienced by children who have severe emotional and behavioral problems. This study evaluated an intervention package designed to increase the ratio of these children's desirable to undesirable interactions. The package included three principal components: (a) observation of videotapes following regularly scheduled peer activity sessions; (b) self-evaluation of the children's peer interactions observed on the videotapes; and (c) delayed feedback and reinforcement for desirable peer interactions. Five students from two elementary schools participated. Multiple baseline designs and one reversal were used to evaluate the effects of the intervention package. The results showed that the intervention produced lower levels of undesirable peer interactions and higher ratios of desirable to undesirable interactions for all participants. The results are discussed in regard to their conceptual and applied implications and in terms of specific directions for future research.     

父母教养方式对初中生攻击行为的影响:越轨同伴交往和自我控制的作用

以631名初中生为被试,采用问卷法考察父母教养方式与初中生攻击行为的关系,同时探讨越轨同伴交往的中介作用,以及该作用是否受自我控制的调节。结果发现：（1）消极父母教养方式对越轨同伴交往、攻击行为均有显著的正向预测作用;（2）越轨同伴交往在消极父母教养方式与初中生攻击行为之间起部分中介作用;（3）自我控制可以调节越轨同伴交往对初中生攻击行为的作用,对于低自我控制个体,越轨同伴交往起部分中介作用;对于高自我控制个体,越轨同伴交往的中介效应不显著,消极父母教养方式对攻击行为仅有直接作用。     

交往越轨同伴对青少年犯罪的影响

同伴交往和青少年犯罪之间的关系是青少年犯罪研究的一个核心问题。大量的实证研究结果支持学习理论所提出的与越轨同伴交往会促进青少年犯罪的观点。这种促进作用适用于不同类型、不同性别、不同年龄阶段、不同犯罪路径的青少年犯罪, 也适用于众多类型的青少年犯罪团体干预项目中的同伴交往。为深化对这一领域的认识, 未来研究需更多采用纵向研究、对比研究、实验研究等方法, 以不同文化背景中的青少年为对象, 深入考察这种影响的群体差异、内部机制以及干预措施。     

Early Predictors of Urban Adolescents’ Community Violence Exposure

This study examined the extent to which individual, peer, and family factors predicted the onset of community violence exposure in middle and high school, as well as the indirect effects of early factors. We were particularly interested in the timing of exposure to community violence during adolescence, and thus conducted survival analyses on data from 632 urban youth, followed from first grade through high school. Early aggressive behavior and poor academic readiness were associated with an earlier onset of community violence exposure in adolescence. The effects of early aggression on community violence exposure and victimization were accounted for, in part, by peer rejection and deviant peer affiliation; there was no evidence of moderation by gender or parental monitoring. Findings highlight potential targets for preventive interventions with youth at risk of community violence exposure.     

亲子关系与青少年冒险行为的关系:一个有调节的中介模型

该研究探讨了亲子关系与青少年冒险行为的关系,并提出一个有调节的中介模型,考察自控力的中介效应和不良同伴交往对该效应的调节效应。对1263名青少年采用问卷调查,研究工具包括关系网络问卷、中学生自我控制能力量表、同伴群体特征问卷、青少年冒险行为问卷。结果表明：（1）自控力在亲子关系与青少年冒险行为之间起中介作用,即亲子关系通过自控力间接影响青少年的冒险行为。（2）亲子关系通过自控力的间接效应受到不良同伴交往的调节,交往较多的不良同伴使低自控力青少年的冒险行为增多。因此,自控力在亲子关系与冒险行为之间存在中介效应,且该效应受到不良同伴交往的调节。     

Peer-Nominated Deviant Talk Within Residential Treatment: Individual and Group Influences on Treatment Response

This research examined deviant talk during summer residential treatment using peer nominations and extensive field observations. Participants were 239 youth (M _age = 12.62, SD = 2.60; 67% male), nested in 26 treatment groups. Deviant talk was present in this setting, showed individual differences, and increased over time, especially for younger boys. As expected, its relationship to treatment response was moderated by peer behavior. Initial levels of individual deviant talk were related to clinical improvement, but primarily when peer deviant talk was low. Initial levels of peer deviant talk were related to higher than expected end of treatment aggression, especially for youth who were high in deviant talk. Deviant talk effects were observed for staff impressions of change and observations of aggression and adjustment. Initial antisocial behavior affected whether individual or peer levels of deviant talk more heavily influenced treatment response. Implications for clinical assessment and treatment monitoring are discussed.     

交往不良同伴对男性未成年犯攻击行为的影响:道德推脱的中介作用

以社会学习理论为基础,运用问卷调查法,通过对368名男性未成年犯的调查,分析了交往不良同伴对攻击行为的影响以及道德推脱在这一影响过程中的中介作用。结果发现:(1)交往不良同伴与男性未成年犯的道德推脱存在显著正相关(γ=0.29, p<0.001),与攻击行为也存在显著正相关 (γ=0.32, p<0.001),同时,道德推脱与攻击行为存在显著正相关 (γ=0.45, p<0.001);(2)交往不良同伴会对男性未成年犯的攻击行为产生显著的正向影响(γ=0.34, p<0.001),道德推脱也会对攻击行为产生显著的正向影响(γ=0.44, p<0.001),同时,道德推脱在交往不良同伴影响攻击行为的过程中发挥着部分中介作用。