Abstract
BackgroundAdolescents with Mild Intellectual Disability (MID) or Borderline Intellectual Functioning (BIF) are highly susceptible to negative peer influence. However, research in typically developing adolescents shows that peers can also promote prosocial behavior, which is an opportunity for positive development. AimsThe current study aimed to investigate the effect of peer influence on prosocial behavior in adolescents with MID or BIF. Methods and proceduresIn an experimental donation task, 40 adolescents with MID or BIF (Mage = 14.0, 40 % boys) were repeatedly asked how many of five coins they would like to donate to the group. The task had four consecutive within-subject conditions: alone, with virtual peers present, with virtual peer feedback, and alone again. Outcomes and resultsResults showed that adolescents made larger donations with virtual peers present, and even larger with peer feedback. This increase in donations sustained for subsequent decisions made alone. Finally, adolescents with BIF made larger donations with peer feedback compared to adolescents with MID. Conclusions and implicationsAdolescents with MID or BIF are susceptible to peer influence on prosocial behavior, demonstrating the potential effect social context can have on promoting positive development.
Highlights
Adolescents with mild intellectual disability (MID; IQ < 70 and mild limitations in adaptive functioning) and adolescents with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF; 70 < IQ < 85) are highly susceptible to negative influences from their peers (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Wieland & Zitman, 2016)
To obtain information on whether adolescents with Mild Intellectual Disability (MID) or Borderline Intellectual Func tioning (BIF) are susceptible to implicit peer influences related to perceived social norms, we explore whether adolescents with MID or BIF increase their prosocial behavior in response to peer presence compared to when playing alone
The current study aimed to investigate whether adolescents with MID or BIF are susceptible to peer influence on prosocial behavior
Summary
Adolescents with mild intellectual disability (MID; IQ < 70 and mild limitations in adaptive functioning) and adolescents with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF; 70 < IQ < 85) are highly susceptible to negative influences from their peers (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Wieland & Zitman, 2016). Experimental studies demonstrate that adolescents with MID or BIF show more risk taking under peer influence than typically developing adolescents (Bexkens et al, 2019; Wagemaker et al, 2020). The current study investigates whether peer influence can promote prosocial behavior in adolescents with MID or BIF. Aims: The current study aimed to investigate the effect of peer influence on prosocial behavior in adolescents with MID or BIF. Outcomes and results: Results showed that adolescents made larger donations with virtual peers present, and even larger with peer feedback This increase in donations sustained for subsequent decisions made alone. Conclusions and implications: Adolescents with MID or BIF are susceptible to peer influence on prosocial behavior, demonstrating the potential effect social context can have on promoting positive development
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