Do “Cool Kids” Become Risky Young Adults?

Abstract

Research Article| October 01 2014 Do “Cool Kids” Become Risky Young Adults? AAP Grand Rounds (2014) 32 (4): 39. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.32-4-39 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Do “Cool Kids” Become Risky Young Adults?. AAP Grand Rounds October 2014; 32 (4): 39. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.32-4-39 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All PublicationsAll JournalsAAP Grand RoundsPediatricsHospital PediatricsPediatrics In ReviewNeoReviewsAAP NewsAll AAP Sites Search Advanced Search Topics: criminal behavior, ethanol, substance use disorders, young adult, social skills Source: Allen JP, Schad MM, Oudekerk B, et al. What ever happened to the “cool” kids? Long-term sequelae of early adolescent pseudomature behavior [published online ahead of print June 11, 2014]. Child Dev. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12250 Investigators from the University of Virginia conducted a longitudinal study to examine the relationship between early adolescent pseudomature behavior (eg, minor delinquent activity, precocious romantic involvement, focus on physical appearance in friendships) and the following outcomes: adolescent and early adulthood peer relationships, and early adulthood alcohol/substance use and criminal behavior. The researchers followed a racially and socioeconomically diverse community sample of adolescents for a 10-year period. Participating adolescents were assessed annually at ages 13–15 with follow-up at ages 20–23. At each annual assessment between ages 13–15, adolescent participants nominated their closest same-gender friend and 2 other peers from within their extended circle of friends to participate in the assessment of peer attractiveness, closeness of friendships, and social competence and popularity. Measures of pseudomature behavior at ages 13–15 included self-reported minor delinquent activity in the prior 6 months (eg, theft of items costing <$5 or destroying parental property), precocious romantic behavior (number of people “made out” with), and selection of attractive peers (physical attractiveness of peers coded from videotaped observations). Adolescent self-rated valuing of popularity (5-point scale at age 13) and popularity among peers (sociometric procedure where participants’ peers listed their 10 most “liked” peers at ages 13–15) were assessed. Measures assessed in adolescence and early adulthood were social competence (peer-completed scales), alcohol and substance use (self-reported questionnaires), and criminal behavior (interview). After controlling for potentially confounding variables, the associations between pseudomature behaviors and the outcomes were assessed. A total of 184 adolescents participated in the study; follow-up data were collected on 175 (95%). Early adolescent pseudomature behavior was linked to a strong desire for peer approval, as measured through valuing of popularity (P < .05). While pseudomature behavior predicted popularity in the short term (age 13), the elevated popularity of adolescents with psuedomature behavior decreased over time and was no longer present by age 15. Pseudomature behavior in early adolescence predicted lower levels of early adulthood peer-rated social competence (P < .01). Adolescent pseudomature behavior also predicted criminal behavior and future use of and problems with alcohol and marijuana in early adulthood (P < .001 for all outcomes). The investigators conclude that a constellation of pseudomature behaviors in early adolescence predicted difficulties in social functioning in early adulthood and may indicate deviation from healthy psychosocial competence. Dr Wong has disclosed no financial relationship relevant to this commentary. This commentary does not contain a discussion of an unapproved/investigative use of a commercial product/device. Minor delinquencies, early romantic behavior, and a focus on physical attractiveness when choosing friends are often seen as normal features of adolescence, perhaps not even warranting discussion during most busy adolescent clinical encounters. Teens use these pseudomature behaviors to act older than their age to gain popularity, with the goal of being considered one of the... You do not currently have access to this content.