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Psychopathic traits moderate peer influence on adolescent delinquency
Margaret Kerr1, Maarten Van Zalk, Håkan Stattin
1Örebro University, Youth and Society, Center for Developmental Research, Örebro, Sweden. margaret.kerr@oru.se
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines
|November 29, 2011
Summary
Adolescents with higher callous-unemotional and grandiose-manipulative traits are less influenced by delinquent peers. Conversely, peers high in these psychopathic traits exert greater influence on adolescent delinquency.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Criminology
- Developmental Science
Background:
- Peer influence significantly contributes to adolescent delinquency.
- However, factors moderating this influence remain underexplored.
- Psychopathic personality traits in adolescents and their peers may act as moderators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate psychopathic personality traits as moderators of peer influence on adolescent delinquency.
- To examine three dimensions of psychopathy: grandiose-manipulative, callous-unemotional, and impulsive-irresponsible traits.
- To analyze these effects within a peer network context.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study with five waves of data from 847 adolescents.
- Utilized a peer network approach, capturing nominations beyond the school context.
- Employed Simulation Investigation for Empirical Network Analyses (SIENA) to control for selection effects.
Main Results:
- Callous-unemotional and grandiose-manipulative traits moderated peer influence.
- Adolescents high in these traits were less susceptible to peer delinquency.
- Peers high in these traits demonstrated greater influence on adolescent delinquency.
Conclusions:
- This study is the first to examine psychopathic traits as moderators of peer influence on delinquency.
- Findings advance understanding of adolescent peer influence and psychopathy.
- The peer network approach controlled for network, self-selection, and other selection effects.
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