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Moderators of Friend Selection and Influence in Relation to Adolescent Alcohol Use
Evelien M Hoeben1, Kelly L Rulison2, Daniel T Ragan3
1Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR), Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ehoeben@nscr.nl.
Summary
Parenting practices and individual beliefs shape adolescent friendships and alcohol use. Some teens are more vulnerable to peer influence, highlighting the need for targeted prevention strategies to reduce adolescent drinking.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Adolescent friendships are key contexts for alcohol initiation.
- Individual differences influence susceptibility to peer alcohol use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how parenting practices and individual beliefs moderate friend selection and peer influence on adolescent alcohol use.
- To identify adolescents at higher risk for alcohol use due to peer dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal social network and survey data from 12,335 adolescents (aged 11-17) were analyzed.
- Stochastic actor-based models were used to assess selection and influence processes.
- Separate models were estimated for each moderating variable.
Main Results:
- Parenting practices (discipline, knowledge, unsupervised time) and beliefs (norms, expectations, approval) influenced friend selection and peer influence.
- Adolescents with consistent discipline, less unsupervised peer time, and specific beliefs were less likely to select alcohol-using friends.
- These factors also affected susceptibility to friends' alcohol use, creating differential risk.
Conclusions:
- Friend selection and influence processes around adolescent alcohol use are moderated by parenting and individual beliefs.
- Targeting specific adolescent groups for prevention is crucial, particularly those susceptible to peer influence.
- Understanding peer network dynamics can inform effective adolescent alcohol prevention programs.
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