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Identity development as a buffer of adolescent risk behaviors in the context of peer group pressure and control
Tara M Dumas1, Wendy E Ellis, David A Wolfe
1Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Social and Epidemiological Research, UWO Research Park, 100 Collip Circle, Suite 200, London, ON, Canada N6G 4X8. tdumas@uwo.ca
Abstract:
We examined identity development as a moderator of the relation between peer group pressure and control and adolescents' engagement in risk behaviors. Participants (n=1070; M(age)=15.45 years) completed a self-report measure of identity exploration, the degree to which they have explored a variety of self-relevant values, beliefs and goals, and identity commitment, the degree to which they have secured a personal identity. Participants further reported on their frequency of risk behaviors (substance use and general deviancy) and experienced peer group pressure and control. Results confirmed that identity commitment was a buffer of substance use and identity exploration was a buffer of general deviancy in more pressuring peer groups. In more controlling peer groups, teens with greater identity commitment engaged in less risk behavior than teens with low-identity commitment. Thus, identity development may be a suitable target to deter negative effects of peer pressure in high-risk adolescents.
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