The influence of deviant peers on the development of boys' disruptive and delinquent behavior: A temporal analysis

Abstract

The concurrent and predictive influence of deviant peers on boys' disruptive and delinquent behavior was examined in a community sample of fourth- and seventh-grade boys, who were followed-up over six data waves. Analyses were conducted separately for three different types of behavior problems: authority conflict, covert, and overt disruptive behavior. Consistent with the existing literature, concurrent relations between peers' and boys' disruptive behavior were expected to be significant. A more informative test, however, was whether exposure to deviant peers resulted in boys' subsequent initiation of disruptive behavior. Although peer influences were expected in the predictive analyses, the relations were hypothesized to differ by type of behavior. The potential moderating effects of hyperactivity and poor parenting practices were also examined to test the hypothesis that boys who are already at risk for behavior problems will be more susceptible to deviant peer influence. Results supported the significant concurrent and predictive relation between exposure to deviant peers and boys' engagement in disruptive and delinquent behavior. There were no significant moderating effects of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or parenting practices on peer influence.

A Study on the Moderating Effect of Family Functioning on the Relationship between Deviant Peer Affiliation and Delinquency among Chinese Adolescents

“…Compared to the large number of studies exploring the moderating effect of family variables on the relationship between deviant peer association and delinquency (e.g., Coombs, Paulson, & Richardson, 1991;Farrell, Henry, Mays, & Schoeny, 2011;Galambos, Barker, & Almeida, 2003;Keenan et al, 1995;Lansford et al, 2003;Mason, Cauce, Gonzales, & Hiraga, 1994;Mrug & Windle, 2009;Poole & Regoli, 1979;Trucco, Colder, & Wieczorek, 2011;Vitario, Brendgen, & Tremblay, 2000;Warr, 1993;Zimmerman, Steinman, & Rowe, 1998), few have studied the moderating role of family functioning. Family functioning can be defined as "the quality of family life at the systemic level, such as wellness, competence, strengths, and weaknesses of a family" (Shek, 2005: p. 518).To the knowledge of the investigators, only one study conducted by Henry, Tolan, and Gorman-Smith (2001) adopted a composite score of family relationship (i.e., cohesion, communication, belief about family, shared deviant beliefs, support, and organization) and parenting practices (i.e., positive parenting, discipline effectiveness, discipline avoidance, monitoring/involvement) to investigate four possible models about the relationships among family functioning, peers and delinquency among 246 male adolescents.…”

“…Several researchers have explored the moderating effect of family variables on the relationship between deviant peer association and delinquency, and have made mixed results (e.g., Coombs, Paulson, & Richardson, 1991;Farrell, Henry, Mays, & Schoeny, 2011;Galambos, Barker, & Almeida, 2003;Keenan et al, 1995;Lansford et al, 2003;Mason, Cauce, Gonzales, & Hiraga, 1994;Mrug & Windle, 2009;Poole & Regoli, 1979;Trucco, Colder, & Wieczorek, 2011;Vitario, Brendgen, & Tremblay, 2000;Warr, 1993;Zimmerman, Steinman, & Rowe, 1998). It remains unclear whether the buffering effect of family functioning exists or not, as few studies have examined family at a systemic level.…”

Risk Factors for Community Violence Exposure in Adolescence

“…Affiliation with deviant peers has been identified as a proximal risk factor for youth delinquency (Keenan, Loeber, Zhang, Stouthamer-Loeber, & van Kammen, 1995). Because deviant peer affiliation may increase the likelihood that children are in dangerous environments, deviant peer affiliation also may be a risk factor for community violence exposure.…”

Preventing Serious Conduct Problems in School-Age Youth: The Fast Track Program

“…Adolescents who associate with deviant peers have a substantially increased risk for adolescent problem behaviors. Keenan, Loeber, Zhang, Stouthamer-Loeber, and Van Kammen (1995) found that, in comparison to boys who did not have best friends who were truant or disobedient, disruptive boys who did have deviant peer associations had three to four times the odds of participating in covert and overt delinquent acts. Adolescents appear to reinforce each other's antisocial beliefs within deviant peer groups (e.g., Dishion, Patterson, & Griesler, 1994).…”