Temperament alters susceptibility to negative peer influence in early adolescence

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Sylvie Mrug, University of Alabama; Anjana Madan, University of Alabama; Michael Windle, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2012-02-01
• Publisher: Springer Verlag (Germany)
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10802-011-9550-2
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
• ISSN: 0091-0627
• Volume: 40
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 201
• End Page: 209
• Keywords: Early adolescence; INTERNALIZING PROBLEMS; Social Sciences; Psychology, Clinical; SUBSTANCE USE; Psychology; Temperament; MULTIPLE-REGRESSION; ANTISOCIAL-BEHAVIOR; DIFFICULT TEMPERAMENT; DELINQUENT-BEHAVIOR; Psychology, Developmental; DEPRESSED MOOD; DRUG-USE; Externalizing behavior; AGGRESSIVE-CHILDREN; Peer influence; FRIENDSHIP QUALITY
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Education; Psychology, Clinical; Psychology, Developmental

Abstract

The role of deviant peers in adolescent antisocial behavior has been well documented, but less is known about individual differences in susceptibility to negative peer influence. This study examined whether specific temperament dimensions moderate the prospective relationship between peer deviance and delinquent behavior in early adolescence. Participants included 704 adolescents recruited from the community. At baseline, parents provided information on adolescents' temperament and youth reported on their own and their friends' delinquent behavior. Selfreports of adolescents' delinquent behavior were collected again 16 months later. Peer deviance was related to delinquent behavior over time more strongly for adolescents with low levels of task orientation, flexibility, and positive mood, compared to youth with high levels of task orientation, flexibility, and positive mood. Analyses of gender differences indicated that low flexibility increased susceptibility to negative peer influence only for males, but not females. General activity level and sleep rhythmicity did not moderate the effect of peer behavior on delinquency.