The Development of Delinquency and Perceived Friendship Quality in Adolescent Best Friendship Dyads

Abstract

The present study examines both the unique and the combined role of best friends' delinquency and perceived friendship quality in the development of adolescent delinquency. Questionnaire data were gathered from 435 Dutch adolescent best friends (mean age at first wave = 12.97) over a period of 5 years with annual assessments. Results showed that mean levels of delinquency and perceived friendship quality increased over time. Adolescent best friends were highly similar in both mean levels and changes in delinquency over time. For boys, similarity in mean level delinquency between best friends was higher than for girls. In addition, only for boys, friends' delinquency is associated with increases in adolescent delinquency over time, and adolescents' delinquency is associated with increases in friends' delinquency over time. No bidirectional longitudinal associations were found between perceived friendship quality and adolescent delinquency. No interaction effects between friendship quality and friends' delinquency on adolescent delinquency were found. Thus, findings were more in support of the differential association theory than of the social control theory.

Close Friendships and Mental Health of Korean American Adolescents: The Moderating Effect of Personality

“…However, our findings are consistent with results from 2 studies showing that the quality of close friendships was not a significant factor in delinquency (Selfhout et al, 2008) or in the development of overall mental health problems (Okello, Nakimuli-Mpungu, Musisi, Broekaert, & Derluyn, 2014). It is possible that the quality of close friendships plays a greater role in predicting internalizing problems such as depression and anxiety than for externalizing problems.…”

“…A few longitudinal studies have also found that a decline in the quality of peer relationships was a significant factor in the development of depressive symptoms (Mendle, Harden, Brooks-Gunn, & Graber, 2012), but it did not affect delinquent behaviors (Selfhout, Branje, & Meeus, 2008). Overall, these studies suggest that more positive, supportive peer relationships are an important protective factor for an adolescent's mental health.…”

School engagement, risky peers, and student–teacher relationships as mediators of school violence in Taiwanese vocational versus academically oriented high schools

“…These findings suggested that risky peers had a stronger mediating effect from negative personal traits to violence against students for male students. It is possible that boys are more likely than girls to be influenced by at-risk peers (Alexander et al, 2001;Bollmer et al, 2005;Heinze, Toro, & Urberg, 2004;Papalia et al, 2009;Selfhout, Branje, & Meeus, 2008). If boys with positive attitudes toward violence and poor impulsive controls affiliate with their peers with similar personal characteristics, they may be more likely than girls to reinforce their learning of violent behavior in school (Capaldi, Dishion, Stoolmiller, & Yoerger, 2001;Heinze et al, 2004;Selfhout et al, 2008;Solomon, 2006;Sutherland, 1947;Sutherland and Cressy, 1978).…”

Popularity, likeability, and risk-taking in middle adolescence

“…Friends are powerful influences of adolescents' decisions to participate in risk-taking activities, including shoplifting, petty theft, and vandalism [2]. However, adolescent friendships are not the only source of information regarding normative risk-taking practices, as some adolescents are afforded greater status and influence.…”