Antisocial peer affiliation and externalizing disorders in the transition from adolescence to young adulthood: Selection versus socialization effects.

Abstract

Prior research has demonstrated both socialization and selection effects for the relationship between antisocial peer affiliation and externalizing problems in adolescence. Less research has evaluated such effects post-adolescence. In this study, a cross-lagged panel analysis was used to evaluate the extent of socialization (i.e., the effect of antisocial peer affiliation on subsequent externalizing disorders) and selection (i.e., the effect of externalizing disorders on subsequent antisocial peer affiliation) in the prospective relationships between antisocial peer affiliation and externalizing disorders from adolescence through young adulthood. Data from a community sample of 2,769 individuals (52% female) with assessments at ages 17, 20, 24, and 29 were used. Analyses with a latent externalizing measure (estimated using clinical symptom counts of nicotine dependence, alcohol use disorder, illicit drug use disorder, and adult antisocial behavior) and self-reported antisocial peer affiliation revealed significantly stronger socialization effects from age 17 to 20, followed by significantly stronger selection effects from age 20 to 24 and 24 to 29. To better understand the impact of college experience, moderation by college status was evaluated at each developmental transition. Results were generally consistent for those who were in or were not in college. Results suggest selection effects are more important in later developmental periods than earlier periods, particularly in relation to an overall liability towards externalizing disorders, likely due to more freedom in peer selection post-adolescence.

Factors in Assessing Recidivism Risk in Young Offenders

“…An accumulation of variables that predict risk, however, makes it possible to determine with greater accuracy any antisocial behaviors that could, if not stopped, continue into adulthood. The study by [52] on adolescents who have fallen foul of the law stresses the importance of surrounding oneself with protective variables in order to avoid contact with risk practices as much as possible. The accumulation of these protective variables has the capacity to predict not only antisocial behaviors but also those adjusted to forms of prosocial behavior [9,10,53].…”

An Examination of Parental and Peer Influence on Substance Use and Criminal Offending During the Transition From Adolescence to Adulthood

“…Given that most studies have used general measures of peer delinquency, an examination of the behavior-specific correlations between peers and participants is an important contribution. Finally, we examined whether associations varied by age and race, given evidence suggesting that associations might be strongest in adolescence (Cleveland, Feinberg, Bontempo, & Greenberg, 2008; Cleveland, Feinberg, & Jones, 2012; Ferguson & Meehan, 2011; Fergusson et al, 2002; Gardner & Steinberg, 2005; Monahan et al, 2009; Samek et al, 2016) and may differ by race (Brannock, Schandler, & Oncley Jr, 1990; Catalano et al, 1992; Matsueda & Heimer, 1987; Mrug & McCay, 2013). …”

Nicotine dependence, internalizing symptoms, mood variability and daily tobacco use among young adult smokers

“…Previous research suggests that cigarette use is determined by multiple factors including various forms of internalizing symptoms. Increases in internalizing (such as symptoms of depression, anxiety) have been reported in young adulthood, particularly while individuals are transitioning from high school to college and take up other adult roles (Guassi Moreira & Telzer, 2015; Samek, Goodman, Erath, McGue, & Iacono, 2016; Taylor, Doane, & Eisenberg, 2014). Internalizing symptoms have been shown to play an important role in cigarette use among college-aged students (Ameringer & Leventhal, 2010; Kenney & Holahan, 2008).…”