Peer Cluster Research Articles

Peer cluster: a maximum flow‐based trust mechanism in P2P file sharing networks

ABSTRACTTrust mechanism has become a research focus in recent years as a novel and valid way to ensure the transaction security in peer‐to‐peer file sharing networks. Nevertheless, some fundamental challenges still exist, for example: How can malicious peers be effectively isolated? How can various threats of manipulation by strategic peers be resisted? What strategy should be used to ensure that the service providers are authentic peers? Considering these challenges in our minds, in this paper, we propose a new trust mechanism based on the maximum flow theory. We firstly add a few prestigious peers into a cluster as the original members according to their transaction behaviors in a period; then, we perform maximum flow algorithm and identify those peers that still link from (to) the peers in the cluster as new members, which is carried out repeatedly, and almost every normal peer would finally become the member of the cluster. Each request peer has the priority to select downloading sources from this cluster according to our trust mechanism. In this way, the malicious peers are isolated, and their transaction behaviors are also confined largely even though they have high reputation. Extensive experimental results confirm the efficiency of our trust mechanism against the threats of exaggeration, cheat, collusion, and disguise. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Questioning generational labels and their usefulness for church policy (A response to Leslie van Rooi)

First, you quote Hestorff, Kruger and others in order to find ´defining characteristics´ of Generation Y. You state that Generation Y members have a common philosophy of life, are very busy and at times, stressed out and can often feel lonely, the two last points also being confirmed by the Stellenbosch University inquiry. Often they participate in and develop their identity in a particular peer cluster. It is a generation that is highly ambitious and wants to be successful. They are critical with regard to absolutism. What counts is being genuine, original and authentic. Generation Y members are socially concerned and internet savvy. Despite the diversity, which is a feature of this generation too, the commonality is striking: it allows you, Leslie, to speak of an ‘apparent gap’ with former generations. Second, you assert that Generation Y members are ´keenly interested in finding a safe place to belong´. The experience with divorces among the previous, baby boomer and X generations may have had, as you suggest, a formative effect upon the core values of the members of the Y generation. You quote Reggie Nel who found that young people highly value their home as a place of care, love and safety. You add that if the family structure does not function or is torn apart young people will have serious difficulties in developing their identity. Third, for the Stellenbosch students, being representative of generation Y, the church and spirituality play an important role. You question the URCSA focus on ethical and doctrinal education and specifically, you raise criticism as to whether this education responds to the needs of the Generation Y-members. Implicitly you seem to suggest that the church can and should play a more formative role. I think this implicit proposal deserves to become more explicit and developed more fully.

Reliable Distributed Network Management by Replication

This paper presents a new clustering architecture for SNMP agents that supports semi-active replication of managed objects. A cluster of agents provides fault-tolerant object functionality: replicated managed objects of a crashed agent of a given cluster may be accessed through a peer cluster. The proposed architecture is structured in three layers. The lower layer corresponds to the managed objects at the network elements. The middle layer contains management entities called clusters that monitor and replicate managed objects. The upper layer allows the definition of management clusters as well as the relationship between clusters. A practical tool was implemented and is presented. The impact of replication on network performance is evaluated as well as a probabilistic analysis of replicated object consistency.

Rejected Youth in Residential Treatment

In this investigation we examined the social relationships formed by children who were identified as rejected. A total of 105 students attending a middle school (fourth through eighth grade) within a large community-style residential treatment facility participated in this study. Data were collected on the students' social networks and sociometric status. Results indicated that a majority of rejected children affiliated within a peer cluster and were well integrated within the broader social network. Students who affiliated in peer clusters with a rejected student tended to be similar in sociometric status. Implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the peer rejection and the social affiliation research literatures.

Protective factors against substance use among Asian American youth: A test of the peer cluster theory

AbstractFew viable theoretical models of risk and protective factors for adolescent substance use have been empirically tested on diverse populations. The purpose of this study was twofold. First, the cross‐cultural validity of Oetting and Beauvais' (1987) peer cluster theory was tested on a sample of Asian American youth. Second, the effect of youths' immigration experience on the relationship among the protective factors was examined. Results showed partial support for the validity of the peer cluster model for this sample. As hypothesized, the peer domain variable was significantly related to substance use, while the family domain variable served as a protective factor against substance use. However, the school domain variable did not have any direct or indirect effects on substance use. There were no significant differences in the path model when the sample was split according to youth immigrant status. Implications for substance use prevention are discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Social Control Theory as a Theory of Conformity: The Case of Asian/Pacific Drug and Alcohol Nonuse

This study uses data from the Asian Student Drug Survey to examine the extent to which social control and peer cluster theories explain drug and alcohol use among students of various Asian American subgroups. The data suggest that drug and alcohol use differs significantly among the various subgroups. Pacific Islander and Filipino American youths have the highest rates, whereas Chinese American youths have the lowest rates of use. Among some ethnic groups, families, friends, and teachers are unable to keep youths from using drugs and alcohol. Even so, families play an important role for Chinese and Asian Indians, and teachers are important in keeping Southeast Asians from drug and alcohol use. Commitment to school and to high moral standards also insulates youths from drug and alcohol use. Contrary to social control theory, however, use of drugs and alcohol by peers strongly affects alcohol and drug use. The data suggest that youths of all ethnic groups tend to use drugs and alcohol when their peers have tried marijuana, have gotten drunk, have been gang members, or have encouraged marijuana use. In general, the data are consistent with social control theory, with the exception of peer influence on drug and alcohol use as predicted by peer cluster theory.

Peer Cluster Theory and Adolescent Alcohol Use: An Explanation of Alcohol Use and a Comparative Analysis between Two Causal Models

This study tests the premise of peer cluster theory as it applies to individual alcohol use, and makes a comparative analysis between its ability to explain alcohol use and marijuana use. Using the results of a 1996 drug and alcohol survey of 1312 Western Kentucky University students, path analysis was used to measure the influence of six of peer cluster theory's psychosocial characteristics on the percentage of the respondent's college friends who use alcohol. All of these variables were then regressed on the respondent's alcohol use. The results of the causal models did show some support for peer cluster theory. The direct effect of the student's association with alcohol-using peers on individual alcohol use was shown to have the strongest direct influence on this outcome variable. However, a few limitations of this theoretical perspective were identified. The causal model for alcohol use showed that the indirect influence of two of these psychosocial characteristics (parental attitudes on alcohol use and success in school) was weaker than their direct influence on individual alcohol use. And, the comparative analysis showed that peer cluster theory is better suited to explain the use of marijuana than the use of alcohol.

Structural equation socialization model of substance use among Mexican-American and white non-Hispanic school dropouts

Purpose: To test a socialization model of polydrug use among Mexican-American and white non-Hispanic school dropouts. Methods: A sample of 910 Mexican-American and white non-Hispanic school dropouts were surveyed regarding their use of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs, and socialization characteristics that have previously been shown to be predictive of adolescent substance use. A structural equation model based on peer cluster theory was evaluated for goodness of fit and for differences in model characteristics by ethnicity and gender. Results: Results partially confirmed peer cluster theory among school dropouts in that association with drug-using peers was the most powerful direct predictor of substance use. The effects of a number of other socializing influences were indirect, mediated through association with drug-using peers. Some differences were present between Mexican-American and white non-Hispanic subgroups. Conclusions: Results were similar to those obtained from previous tests of this model among youth who remain in school, suggesting that social influences on drug use are similar across students and school dropouts. Association with drug-using peers dominates the prediction of substance use among school dropouts. However, family communication of drug use sanctions helps to both limit substance use and strengthen family bonds. Prior school adjustment is likely to be an important protective factor in limiting substance use among Mexican-American dropouts.

Primary Socialization Theory: The Etiology of Drug Use and Deviance. I

The fundamental theorem of primary socialization theory is that normative and deviant behaviors are learned social behaviors, products of the interaction of social, psychological, and cultural characteristics, and that norms for social behaviors, including drug use, are learned predominantly in the context of interactions with the primary socialization sources. During adolescence, learning of social behaviors is frequently dominated by interactions with peer clusters. There are a number of additional postulates: 1) The strength of the bonds between the youth and the primary socialization sources is a major factor in determining how effectively norms are transmitted. 2) Any socialization link can transmit deviant norms, but healthy family and school systems are more likely to transmit prosocial norms. 3) Peer clusters can transmit either prosocial or deviant norms, but the major source of deviant norms is usually peer clusters. 4) Weak family/child and/ or school/child bonds increase the chances that the youth will bond with a deviant peer cluster and will engage in deviant behaviors. 5) Weak peer bonds can also ultimately increase the changes of bonding with deviant peers. Primary socialization theory is consistent with current research, has strong implications for improving prevention and treatment, and suggests specific hypotheses for further research.

Drug use, violence, and victimization among White American, Mexican American, and American Indian dropouts, students with academic problems, and students in good academic standing.

Problem-prone behaviors of White American, Mexican American, and American Indian high school dropouts, students in good academic standing, and students in poor academic standing were surveyed. Generally, dropouts were most involved with drugs, perpetration of violence, and victimization by violence, students in poor standing were the next most involved, and students in good standing were least involved. Ethnicity did not interact with academic status, suggesting that differences between dropouts and students were similar across ethnic groups. Some ethnicity and gender main effects were found. Findings were related to R. Jessor's (1991) theory of problem-prone behaviors, to peer cluster theory, and to intervention design.

Cigarette use among migrant and nonmigrant Mexican American youth: a socialization latent-variable model.

A self-report survey of cigarette use among 10th- and 12th-grade Mexican American students found no differences in rates of use by migrant status. Male students reported higher levels of lifetime, experimental, and daily smoking than female students, and 12th-grade students reported higher levels of daily smoking than 10th-grade students. A socialization model of cigarette use based on peer cluster theory was evaluated using structural equation methods, examining the effects of family strength, family tobacco use, school adjustment, religious identification, and peer tobacco associations. The basic latent-structure socialization model was supported in all groups, but final models including specific effects identified both unique and common relationships by gender and migrant status. Common patterns across groups suggest that completely different prevention programs may not be necessary for these youth. However, program elements based on subtle group differences may serve to tailor prevention efforts and make them more effective.

Alcohol Use and Socialization Characteristics Among Hungarian Adolescents: Path Models

SUMMARY Anonymous surveys of alcohol use and associated socialization characteristics of family caring, family sanctions against alcohol use, school adjustment, and peer alcohol associations were administered to Hungarian 8th- and 11th-grade adolescents. Results indicated higher levels of alcohol involvement among older students compared to younger students, and higher levels for males compared to females. However, the frequency of alcohol use among females was equal to or higher than that of males. Path models of alcohol involvement and socialization characteristics were constructed to examine a previously tested model based on peer cluster theory. Models were tested by gender and grade level. Peer alcohol associations was a direct predictor of alcohol involvement among all four models. Family influences or family sanctions against alcohol use and family caring provided both direct and indirect effects on alcohol involvement. School adjustment failed to relate to either peer alcohol associations or alcoh...

Peer drug associations and emotional restraint: Causes or consequences of adolescents' drug use?

A 3-wave longitudinal design was used to examine the relationships among emotional restraint, peer drug associations, and gateway drug use in a sample of 1,256 middle school students. Structural equation modeling was used to compare 3 models: (a) One model viewed drug use as a consequence of emotional restraint and peer variables; (b) 1 viewed drug use as a cause of restraint and peer variables, and (c) 1 included reciprocal effects. All 3 models fit the data fairly well. However, the reciprocal model fit the data significantly better than either of the others. Within this model, low emotional restraint was significantly related to subsequent increases in gateway drug use among boys. In contrast, peer drug models and peer pressure were not related to subsequent changes in gateway drug use. Changes in peer drug models were, however, predicted by previous levels of gateway drug use. Peer drug associations have been identified as one of the most important correlates of drug use in adolescents (Chassin, 1984; Hawkins, Lishner, Catalano, & Howard, 1986; Kandel, 1980). As such, peer variables play an important role in many models of adolescent drug use including Jessor and Jessor's (1977) problem behavior theory; the social learning model of Akers, Krohn, Lanza-Kaduce, and Radosevich (1979); and Kandel's (1980) socialization theory. Although various theories emphasize the role of peers in adolescents' drug use, the strongest position is taken by Getting and Beauvais's (1986, 1987) peer cluster theory, which states that peer variables not only dominate the prediction of drug use but mediate the effects of other variables. They argued that, whereas other psychosocial variables may create the potential for drug use, this potential is nearly always realized through interactions with peers. They contend that peers initiate youth into drugs, provide drugs, model drug-using behaviors, and shape attitudes about drugs. In a recent cross-sectional study, Swaim, Getting, and Beauvais (1989) used a model based on peer cluster theory to examine the relationships among emotional distress, peer variables, and drug use. Peer variables were hypothesized to have a direct effect on drug use; emotional distress variables including selfesteem, depression, anxiety, and blame-alienation were hy

Planning Programs for Prevention of Deviant Behavior:

A psychosocial model based on peer cluster theory and aimed at the prevention of deviant behaviors is presented. The fundamental theorem that underlies the model is that deviant attitudes and behaviors are psychosocial in origin, a product of the interaction of psychological, social and cultural characteristics. The model further postulates the following: (1) Adolescence is a critical time in the evolution of deviant behaviors. Prevention programs, therefore, should include a mujor focus on youth. (2) Deviant attutudes and behaviors are a product of socialization, of learning norms through social interactions. (3) The primary socialization forces in a youth's life consist of the family, the school, and peer clusters. (4) The influence of secondary socialization forces, including the community, religion, the extended family, media, and peers in general, is less than and is usually mediated through the primary socialization links. (5) Any socialization link can transmit deviant norms, but healthy family and...

Peer Cluster Theory and Adolescent Drug Use: A Reanalysis

Peer cluster theory hypothesizes that peer drug association has a direct effect on adolescent drug use. In turn, peer drug associations are influenced by familial factors (sanctions and strength) and individual variables (religious identification, school adjustment). Oetting and Beauvais evaluated peer cluster theory in a cross-sectional survey of 415 high school students [1]. We hypothesized, evaluated, and found support for an alternative model in which poorer school adjustment was specified as a consequence of drug use, peer drug associations, lack of family sanctions against drug use, low religious identification, and absence of family strength. This reanalysis illustrates that interpretations of structural equation modeling results from cross-sectional data are especially problematic.

Links from emotional distress to adolescent drug use: a path model.

Administered anonymous surveys asking about drug use, emotional distress, and peer drug associations to 11th and 12th grade high school students (N = 563). Emotional distress variables accounted for only 4.8% of the variance in drug use. The addition of peer drug associations as a predictor variable increased the variance accounted for to 43.4%. A path model of adolescent drug use based on peer cluster theory was tested using LISREL, and this provided a good fit with the data. As predicted, peer drug associations dominated the prediction of drug use and mediated the effect of emotional distress on drug use, with the exception of a small residual path directly from anger to drug use. The hypothesis that young people take drugs to alleviate emotional distress does not hold up well; emotional distress variables, with the exception of anger, produced only very small and indirect links to drug use.

Social networks and aggressive behavior: Peer support or peer rejection?

Studied social networks and aggressive behavior in school in 2 cohorts of boys and girls in the 4th and 7th grades (N = 695). Measures of social networks yielded convergent findings. Highly aggressive subjects (both boys and girls) did not differ from matched control subjects in terms of social cluster membership or in being isolated or rejected within the social network. Peer cluster analysis and reciprocal best friend selections indicated that aggressive subjects tended to affiliate with aggressive peers. Even though highly aggressive children and adolescents were less popular than control subjects in the social network at large, they were equally often identified as being nuclear members of social clusters. Aggressive subjects did not differ from matched control subjects in the number of times they were named by peers as best friend, nor did the two groups differ in the probability of having friendship choices reciprocated by peers.

Common Elements in Youth Drug Abuse: Peer Clusters and other Psychosocial Factors

Psychosocial factors are the principle determinants of youth drug abuse. Among those factors, the most important direct influence on drug use is that of the peer cluster: “gangs,” best friends, or couples. Other psychosocial characteristics, however, set the stage for this involvement with drug-using peer clusters. Social characteristics that influence drug use in this way include the community, socioeconomic status, neighborhood environments, family, religion, and the school. Psychological characteristics tend to have only low correlations with drug use, but there is some influence on peer clusters from traits such as self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and introversion, particularly when these lead to anger. Implications for prevention and treatment are considered.

Peer cluster theory, socialization characteristics, and adolescent drug use: A path analysis.

Peer cluster theory, socialization characteristics, and adolescent drug use: A path analysis.

Peer cluster theory, socialization characteristics, and adolescent drug use: A path analysis.

Peer cluster theory, socialization characteristics, and adolescent drug use: A path analysis.