Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors
Published on: February 25, 2011
Behavioral Engagement, Peer Status, and Teacher-Student Relationships in Adolescence: A Longitudinal Study on
Maaike C Engels1, Hilde Colpin2, Karla Van Leeuwen3
1School Psychology and Child and Adolescent Development, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, Box 3717, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. Maaike.Engels@ppw.kuleuven.be.
Abstract:
Although teachers and peers play an important role in shaping students' engagement, no previous study has directly investigated transactional associations of these classroom-based relationships in adolescence. This study investigated the transactional associations between adolescents' behavioral engagement, peer status (likeability and popularity), and (positive and negative) teacher-student relationships during secondary education. A large sample of adolescents was followed from Grade 7 to 11 (N = 1116; 49 % female; M age = 13.79 years). Multivariate autoregressive cross-lagged modeling revealed only unidirectional effects from teacher-student relationships and peer status on students' behavioral engagement. Positive teacher-student relationships were associated with more behavioral engagement over time, whereas negative teacher-student relationships, higher likeability and higher popularity were related to less behavioral engagement over time. We conclude that teachers and peers constitute different sources of influence, and play independent roles in adolescents' behavioral engagement.
Related Concept Videos
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Relationship Formation
Cognitive Development During Adolescence
Factors Influencing Attraction I: Proximity
Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings

