Adolescent Peer Research Articles

Are social media use and popularity in the peer group linked during adolescence? A meta-analytic review.

Popularity in adolescence has been the subject of considerable empirical inquiry over the last two decades. As research on this dimension of social experience evolved, fundamental shifts occurred in the modalities through which adolescents communicate. Social networking platforms, instant messaging applications, and other forms of social media emerged as organizing features of adolescent peer groups. In the current paper, we present a systematic review and meta-analysis examining evidence that social media activity is associated with both popularity and goals for becoming popular. Syntheses were conducted based on 34 effect sizes from 12 studies (N = 7776; 4037 girls and 3739 boys) using three-level Meta-analytic techniques. Average effect sizes across studies were of small to medium magnitude and were not influenced by Meta-analytic moderators. Although the findings provide support for expected positive associations between social media activity and popularity, unresolved questions remain.

The Impact of Peer Relationships, Moral Development, and Family Relationships on Collective Violence with the Mediating Role of Psychological Security

Background: Collective violence is a significant global and national social and health issue, particularly in Iran. Objectives: This study investigated the impact of peer relationships, moral development, and family relationships on collective violence, with the mediating role of psychological security, among male high school students in Mashhad. Methods: This correlational study involved a statistical population of all male high school students in Mashhad, with a sample size of 1,300 selected through cluster sampling. The tools used included multidimensional questionnaires: The Multidimensional Peer Acceptance of Collective Violence (MPACV) scale, the Moral Development Questionnaire (MDQ), Fine's Parent-Child Relationship Questionnaire (FP-CRQ), the adolescent peer relations instrument (APRI), and Maslow's Psychological Security Questionnaire (MPSQ). Data were collected between November 2023 and January 2024 and analyzed using SPSS18 and LISREL8.8 software. Path analysis was conducted to explore the relationships between variables. Results: The findings revealed that moral development has a negative and significant impact on collective violence (standard coefficient -0.16, significance coefficient -2.45). Additionally, the father-child relationship (standard coefficient -0.59, significance coefficient -8.98) and the mother-child relationship (standard coefficient -0.46, significance coefficient -7.06) negatively and significantly affect collective violence. In contrast, peer relationships positively and significantly influence collective violence (standard coefficient 0.24, significance coefficient 3.70). Psychological security plays a crucial mediating role: Moral development (standard coefficient 0.41, significance coefficient 6.21), the father-child relationship (standard coefficient 0.54, significance coefficient 8.24), and the mother-child relationship (standard coefficient 0.50, significance coefficient 7.65) positively and significantly affect psychological security, which in turn reduces collective violence (standard coefficient -0.24, significance coefficient -3.70). However, peer relationships negatively impact psychological security (standard coefficient -0.53, significance coefficient -8.06), contributing to increased collective violence. Conclusion: Enhancing moral development and strengthening family relationships can significantly reduce collective violence among students by improving their psychological security.

Relationship between Exposure to Violent Content on the Media and Aggressive Behaviour among Adolescent Learners in Western Region, Kenya

This study explores the relationship between exposure to violent media content and aggressive behavior among adolescent secondary school students in Kakamega, Kisii, and Siaya Counties, Kenya. These counties have relatively high media technology access, particularly mobile phones and radio, which exceed national averages. They also report notable incidences of student aggression, with Siaya and Kisii counties showing high rates of student unrest. Grounded in Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, the study utilized a mixed-method approach, adopting descriptive survey and correlational research designs. A sample of 417 students was drawn from a population of 190,555, selected using stratified random sampling method. Data collection involved questionnaires, content analysis, and the Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument (APRI). A pilot study conducted in Vihiga County confirmed the reliability of the instruments, with a Cronbach's Alpha coefficient of 0.87. The study revealed a significant correlation between aggression and exposure to violent content on television (r = 0.211, p = 0.000), with television identified as the most substantial contributor to aggression (B = 0.218, p = 0.001). Notably, 46% of adolescents in Kakamega, Kisii, and Siaya reported constant exposure to violent media, while 11% frequently imitated the violence observed, primarily on mobile phones. Additionally, 9% of respondents justified the violence they encountered, and 56.5% exhibited mild violent tendencies. The study recommends stricter enforcement of media violence regulations, including enhanced penalties and parental guidance ratings, alongside the introduction of media literacy programs in schools. Additionally, it calls for limiting unsupervised internet access for minors, particularly in public cybercafes, to mitigate the negative influence of violent media content.

Patterns of Adolescent Peer Affiliation among Youth At-Risk of Maltreatment

This study examined patterns of peer affiliations and their associations with child maltreatment, substance use, and future expectations. This study focused on 844 adolescents from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect. We identified four distinct peer-affiliation patterns: (1) no affiliation with peers who engage in either prosocial or deviant behaviors; (2) affiliation with peers using substances; (3) affiliation with peers who engage in severe deviant behaviors; and (4) affiliation with peers who engage in prosocial behaviors. Youth with sexual abuse experiences were more likely to be affiliated with peers who engage in severe deviant or prosocial behaviors. We also found different substance use and future expectations depending on peer affiliations. This study highlights the importance of examining both prosocial and deviant peer affiliations.

Proximity within adolescent peer networks predicts neural similarity during affective experience.

Individuals befriend others who are similar to them. One important source of similarity in relationships is similarity in felt emotion. In the present study, we used novel methods to assess whether greater similarity in the multivoxel brain representation of affective stimuli was associated with adolescents' proximity within real-world school-based social networks. We examined dyad-level neural similarity within a set of brain regions associated with the representation of affect including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), amygdala, insula, and temporal pole. Greater proximity was associated with greater vmPFC neural similarity during pleasant and neutral experiences. Moreover, we used unsupervised clustering on social networks to identify groups of friends and observed that individuals from the same (versus different) friend groups were more likely to have greater vmPFC neural similarity during pleasant and negative experiences. These findings suggest that similarity in the multivoxel brain representation of affect may play an important role in adolescent friendships.

Adolescent close friendships, self-perceived social acceptance, and peer-rated likeability as predictors of wellbeing in young adulthood

IntroductionLinks between interpersonal relationships and physical and psychological functioning have been well-established in the literature. During adolescence, success or distress in peer relationships may have distinct effects on different aspects of wellbeing. The present study aims to examine the ways in which different adolescent peer relationship contexts (i.e., close friendship quality, social acceptance, and likability from peers) can predict outcomes relevant to adult wellbeing (i.e., social anxiety, depression, aggression, social integration, romantic insecurity, job satisfaction, and physical health). Further, the study considers how different developmental stages of adolescence may impact links between peer relationships and wellbeing outcomes.MethodPeer relationship contexts were assessed in early (ages 13–14) and late (ages 17–18) adolescence. Markers of wellbeing were measured in young adulthood (ages 28–30). A path analysis was used to examine whether the developmental timing of adolescent peer relationship contexts could predict wellbeing in young adulthood.ResultsResults suggest that, across adolescence, broader perceived social acceptance may be a more robust predictor of adult wellbeing compared to close friendship quality and peer likability. When examined at early and late adolescence separately, early adolescent social acceptance and late adolescent close friendship quality best predicted outcomes of adult wellbeing.DiscussionImplications and considerations for future research are discussed.

Interpersonal impressions of cleft and non-cleft adolescents: A panel assessment study of peers, laypersons, and clinicians using 3dMD images

BackgroundPatients with cleft lip and palate anomalies suffer from associated negative psychosocial effects despite undergoing reconstructive surgeries. Discrimination from others may be a contributing factor. We aim to understand whether people react differently to cleft and non-cleft subjects in questions regarding aesthetic appraisal and interpersonal impressions, as well as whether diverging opinions exist between people of different backgrounds. Materials and MethodsUsing the 3dMD system, three-dimensional craniofacial images of cleft (n=20) and non-cleft (n=5) pediatric individuals were obtained and used to create a Likert scale-based questionnaire. Participants from three different backgrounds, including adolescent peers, adult laypersons, and plastic surgeons, were recruited to complete the assessment. The resulting data was transferred to a bar graph and analyzed with the Item Response Theory- Graded Response Model to estimate the latent traits and capability of each subject. ResultsNon-cleft images obtained more positive responses than cleft images in questions of both aesthetic appraisal and interpersonal impressions. However, some of the cleft images were rated similarly, or even superior, to non-cleft images in questions regarding interpersonal impressions. Surgeons showed the greatest latent capability in differentiating between cleft and non-cleft images, followed by adult laypersons, and then adolescent peers. ConclusionDespite cleft patients experiencing drastic improvements in appearance post-repair, all subject groups responded differently to questions concerning aesthetic and social impressions of pediatric cleft and non-cleft images. Plastic surgeons were more critical than others. These findings may offer further insight to clinicians, educators, and caregivers into the social challenges faced by cleft individuals.

Selection into higher education and subsequent religious decline in a United States cohort

Extant research reveals an inconclusive relationship between higher education and religiosity, which might be due to the selection effect, or to the different religiosity measures used. To address this, we analyze data of a cohort of adolescents from the 1997 National Longitudinal Study of Youth to investigate the association between religion and education. First, we assess the relationship between the child's religious environment and their likelihood of attending college. Second, we investigate how college attendance and completion affect subsequent changes in religiosity as they age into young adulthood. Results suggest that adolescent religious environment significantly predicts subsequent college enrollment. Completing college is associated with subsequent decline in private religiosity index, after accounting for adolescent religious influence, peer influence, and early family formation; suggesting robustness against selection effects. Enrollment or completion of college has a complicated association with subsequent religious attendance. Fundamentalist Christians do not experience the same declines in religious attendance as other religious traditions after enrolling in college, but additional research is needed to confirm the robustness of this finding. Our study contributes to the nuanced understanding of the relationship between higher education and religion by adopting a life course perspective that reveals the heterogeneity of the relationship by religious affiliations and the socio-cultural norms associated with them.

Child maltreatment and peer relationship quality: Types and timing of maltreatment and gender differences.

Research demonstrates that child maltreatment can negatively impact adolescent peer relationships. It is not well understood, however, how the type of maltreatment and its timing (when it occurs) affects the dimensions of peer relationship quality (i.e., companionship, conflict, satisfaction, and intimacy) and differences between genders. This study examines the effects of type and timing of child maltreatment on peer relationship quality, while also exploring the role of gender differences. This study involved 851 adolescents (56.1% girls, 56.2% Black, and 26.8% low-income) drawn from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN). We used Child Protective Services' information for the type and timing of child maltreatment, along with self-reports of peer relationship quality. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEEs) were conducted. Sexual abuse and neglect during adolescence were associated with less satisfaction and lower levels of companionship, respectively. Physical abuse during middle childhood was associated with lower levels of intimacy. We also found interactions between gender and type and timing of maltreatment. Compared to girls, boys exhibited lower levels of companionship and satisfaction if they experienced sexual abuse during adolescence. These findings suggest a need for maltreatment-prevention efforts targeting school-aged children and adolescents, as well as gender-sensitive interventions for high-risk boys with a history of maltreatment.

Adolescent Peer Relationship Difficulties, Prosociality, and Parental Emotion Socialization: Moderating Roles of Adolescent Gender

The present study examined longitudinal, transactional associations between youth social adjustment (prosociality, peer relationship difficulties) and parental emotion socialization in early adolescence. Adolescent gender was considered as a potential moderator. Eighty-seven adolescent-parent dyads (50 girls, 37 boys) participated in 8th grade, with follow-up waves in 9th and 10th grade. Adolescents reported their experiences of peer victimization and their parents’ emotion socialization responses, and parents reported youth prosocial behavior and peer relation problems. Hierarchical linear modeling results indicated transactional associations between parent supportive/unsupportive responses and adolescent peer relations and prosociality over time, some of which were moderated by adolescent gender. Increases in parental supportive emotion socialization corresponded to decreased experiences of peer victimization over time for girls, but not boys. When peer victimization increased over time, girls reported less parental supportive responses and all adolescents reported receiving more unsupportive responses from parents. For all adolescents, parents’ increased supportive responses also corresponded to decreased peer problems and increased prosocial behavior. As prosocial behavior increased, so did parental supportive responses. Increases in parents’ unsupportive responses related to decreased prosocial behavior, and increases in adolescent prosocial behavior related to decreases in parents’ unsupportive responses. Results suggest that there is mutual influence between parent emotion socialization and adolescent social adjustment. Adolescent girls appear to uniquely benefit from parents’ supportive emotional socialization in relation to their experiences of peer victimization. Potential mechanisms and implications are discussed.

The evolution of sensitive periods beyond early ontogeny: Bridging theory and data

Abstract Sensitive periods, in which experiences have a large impact on phenotypic development, are most common early in ontogeny. Yet, they may also occur at later ontogenetic stages, such as adolescence. At present, however, we know little about why natural selection favours sensitive periods for some traits early in ontogeny and for others later in ontogeny. This article synthesizes recent mathematical models and empirical studies that explore sensitive periods beyond early ontogeny. Across mathematical models, we observe two general patterns. First, sensitive periods emerge beyond early ontogeny when an organism's uncertainty about the environment‐phenotype fit increases at later developmental stages. Second, sensitive periods emerge beyond early ontogeny when cues at later stages reduce this uncertainty more than earlier cues do. In the empirical literature, we observe that traits showing sensitive periods beyond early ontogeny tend to be social traits, particularly among mammals. Connecting theory to data, we hypothesize that mammals have evolved to expect reliable information from peers in adolescence to reduce uncertainty about the current and future social environment (e.g. social dominance, mate value). Finally, we highlight current gaps in our understanding and suggest future directions for strengthening bridges between empirical and theoretical studies of sensitive periods. Ultimately, we hope our synthesis will contribute towards an integrative science of sensitive periods across the biological and the social sciences. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Developing Characters of Rehabilitation Students through Islamic Religious Education

This research aims to address the issue of drug abuse by exploring the influence of adolescent peers. The study suggests that exposure to drug use among peers can lead to addiction in children. It is important to note that the language used in this study is objective and avoids any biased or emotional language. Effective solutions are proposed through spiritual rehabilitation or Islamic Religious Education. The research recognizes the significance of addressing psychiatric disorders arising from drug consumption and aims to contribute to character development through the incorporation of Islamic education within rehabilitation centers. This research uses a qualitative approach with descriptive methods, informant determination techniques using SnowBall sampling, data collection techniques through observation, interviews and documentation. Data analysis techniques through data reduction, data presentation and verification. The character-building process at the Drug Rehabilitation Center is flexible and involves tailored materials that are aligned with individual client needs. The study utilises lecture methods and question-and-answer sessions to facilitate comprehension. Additionally, project-based learning models are adapted to suit the taught material. Evaluation takes place after the explanation, requiring clients to promptly articulate or reapply the knowledge gained. The importance of ongoing assessment by coaches and administrators is underscored by the implications. This will ensure that clients not only grasp the material but also internalize and exhibit the desired moral values. It is recommended that teaching strategies be refined to align with the goal of instilling positive character traits in clients.

Family Climate, Perception of Academic Achievements, Peer Engagement in Cyberbullying, and Cyber Roles among Adolescents

Cyberbullying is a disturbing form of behavior associated with the use of communication technologies among adolescents. Many studies have been devoted to cyberbullies and cyber victims, neglecting an important growing group: cyberbullies who are also cyber victims. Moreover, few studies refer to all cyberbullying roles and factors associated with them. Therefore, the goal of this study is to examine differences in family climate, peers’ engagement in cyberbullying, and perception of academic achievements among involvements in cyberbullying roles. Data are collected by telephone or face-to-face from a sample of 277 eleventh- to twelfth-grade students in Israel who are asked to participate in the survey. Cyberbullying roles are composed of two variables—cyberbullies and cyber victims, creating four groups: cyberbullies, cyber victims, cyberbullies-and-victims, and non-involved. Three types of family climate are measured: warmth, order and supervision, and conflict. Respondents report their perceptions of peers’ engagement in cyberbullying. At the personal level, gender, perception of academic achievements, and school absence are measured. Multinomial logistic regression findings show that boys are more likely to be cyberbullies and cyberbullies-victims than are girls; family conflicts increase the odds of being cyberbullies and cyber victims; and family warmth decreases the odds of being cyber victims and cyberbullies-cyber victims. Perception of peers’ engagement in cyberbullying increases the odds of being cyberbullies and cyberbullies-victims. Perception of academic achievements and school absence have opposite effects on cyber victims, the former increasing the odds of being cyber victims and the latter decreasing them. The results emphasize the role of family and peers in adolescents’ cyber behavior. Limitations and conclusions are discussed.

Do Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders Recognize and Adopt Self-Regulation from Peers? – A Qualitative Interview Study.

Do Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders Recognize and Adopt Self-Regulation from Peers? - A Qualitative Interview Study Self-regulation often plays a central role for adolescents who develop a substance use disorder, as deficits may trigger the onset of the disease. Likewise, the improvement of self-regulation strategies is an important element of many therapy programs. Additionally, peers are important in the development of substance use disorders.The aim of this paper is to investigate the role of self-regulation by other peers in adolescents with substance use disorders through a qualitative interview study. For this purpose, a total of N = 13 (54 % female) adolescents were interviewed using semi-structured interviews, which were then evaluated using a qualitative content analysis according to Mayring.The results showed that the adolescents were familiar with the concept of self-regulation but did not name the interplay between cognitions, emotions, motivation, and behavior within self-regulation. Furthermore, the adolescents reported having observed and adopted both adaptive and maladaptive self-regulation strategies in others, placing the maladaptive strategies retrospectively before the start of therapy, while the adaptive strategies were rather placed during the therapy phase. This might partly explain the effect that peers pose a risk factor for the development of substance use disorders. However, peers might also be considered as a resource in therapeutic settings.

Development of a training module for adolescent Peer Counsellors based on a systematic literature review

Development of a training module for adolescent Peer Counsellors based on a systematic literature review

Transmission of Mental Disorders in Adolescent Peer Networks.

Previous research indicates that mental disorders may be transmitted from one individual to another within social networks. However, there is a lack of population-based epidemiologic evidence that pertains to the full range of mental disorders. To examine whether having classmates with a mental disorder diagnosis in the ninth grade of comprehensive school is associated with later risk of being diagnosed with a mental disorder. In a population-based registry study, data on all Finnish citizens born between January 1, 1985, and December 31, 1997, whose demographic, health, and school information were linked from nationwide registers were included. Cohort members were followed up from August 1 in the year they completed ninth grade (approximately aged 16 years) until a diagnosis of mental disorder, emigration, death, or December 31, 2019, whichever occurred first. Data analysis was performed from May 15, 2023, to February 8, 2024. The exposure was 1 or more individuals diagnosed with a mental disorder in the same school class in the ninth grade. Being diagnosed with a mental disorder during follow-up. Among the 713 809 cohort members (median age at the start of follow-up, 16.1 [IQR, 15.9-16.4] years; 50.4% were males), 47 433 had a mental disorder diagnosis by the ninth grade. Of the remaining 666 376 cohort members, 167 227 persons (25.1%) received a mental disorder diagnosis during follow-up (7.3 million person-years). A dose-response association was found, with no significant increase in later risk of 1 diagnosed classmate (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02), but a 5% increase with more than 1 diagnosed classmate (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.04-1.06). The risk was not proportional over time but was highest during the first year of follow-up, showing a 9% increase for 1 diagnosed classmate (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.04-1.14), and an 18% increase for more than 1 diagnosed classmate (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.13-1.24). Of the examined mental disorders, the risk was greatest for mood, anxiety, and eating disorders. Increased risk was observed after adjusting for an array of parental, school-level, and area-level confounders. The findings of this study suggest that mental disorders might be transmitted within adolescent peer networks. More research is required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the possible transmission of mental disorders.

The cycle of violence: effects of violence experience, behavior, and attitudes on adolescents’ peer rejection networks

Previous research on adolescent peer networks has mainly focused on friendship networks and their association with violence, but very limited research is available on peer rejection networks. This lack of knowledge hinders the effectiveness of preventing peer rejection and its negative effects. Based on the theory of the cycle of violence, the present study examines the extent to which parental physical abuse experiences, aggressive behavior toward peers and acceptance of violence are related to peer rejection networks at school. Social network analysis with a stochastic actor-oriented model of longitudinal data collected from high school students (Wave 1, n = 620; Wave 2, n = 590) confirms that adolescents who frequently use aggression toward their peers are more likely to be rejected, especially if those adolescents have experienced abuse. Similarly, peers are more likely to reject adolescents with high levels of accepting violence. The results also show that aggression toward peers generally tends to decrease over time but not for adolescents who reject a larger number of students. For students who reject many peers, aggression frequency increases. From the perspective of resilience theory, peer rejection, when combined with aggression toward peers and acceptance of violence, particularly in female adolescents, creates a significant risk factor for socio-emotional development. Therefore, tackling violence attitudes, experiences and behavior in the school environment and at home is crucial in overcoming the cycle of violence.

One-way or Two-way Arrow?: A Bidirectional Relationship Between Adolescent's Social Media Use and Peer Pressure and the Gender Difference

Social media is a powerful tool and platform for the public to interact and exchange ideas and information. Its impact on adolescents is evident everywhere, and many researchers have made social media and adolescents a research topic. However, the relationship between teens using social media and peer pressure remains unclear. This review examined the specific relationships between the use of social media and peer pressure received by adolescents, including whether there is a gender-specific relationship. After organizing and summarizing previous studies, the results showed that social media use and peer pressure are positively correlated among adolescents and no gender-specific was found. This finding can be used to predict the social media usage of adolescents under high peer pressure and the level of peer pressure experienced by adolescents who frequently use social media. Since this study only is a review, the study's conclusions still need more quantitative research methods like experiments to prove.

Seeing the teacher through my peers' eyes? A social network study on adolescents' teaching quality perceptions

BackgroundPrior research has documented the pervasive influence that peers can exert on adolescents’ lives. However, knowledge on whether adolescents’ perceptions of the quality of the teacher's instruction are also prone to peer influences is lacking. MethodThis study (N = 248 German adolescents) used longitudinal social network analysis to investigate whether (a) friends become more similar in their teaching quality perceptions (influence effects) and/or whether (b) students with initially more similar perceptions of teaching quality were more likely to become friends (selection effects). We also explored whether (c) students with more positive teaching quality perceptions were better integrated socially. ResultsWe did not find support for influence or selection effects. However, students who rated their teacher's instruction more positively were better integrated socially. ConclusionsOur work adds to research on the role of peers in adolescence and enhances our understanding of peer influences on students’ perceptions of instruction.

팬덤의 시대, 대중문화에서 정치까지

This study examines the attitudes and strategies of the generation that internalized fandom culture and practices during their adolescence in the 2000s to engage with Korean society as a whole. This research was conducted by analyzing prior research on how fandom works and its significance, as well as attempts to change the discourse. Fandom, which had been dismissed as star-obsessed individuals began to be recognized as an organized consumption entity and subcultural groups that combined and created various cultural significances since the mid-1990s. This made academics take interested in fandom. Once defined as a form of adolescent peer culture or popular culture consumption, fandom gradually evolved into a life-course practice. Studies have revealed that the fandom experience of creating and maintaining communal relationships through subcultural practices, challenging, and conquering existing power and authority, plays an important role in members’ lives. For them, fandom is a long-term and important reference point for identity and value. When the generation that has become adult with internalized fandom culture demands changes in across political, social, cultural, and economic domains, taking fandom’s way is a natural strategy and outcome.