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Peer Influence during Adolescence: The Moderating Role of Parental Support
Mazneen Havewala1, Julie C Bowker2, Kelly A Smith3
1Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
Peer influence on adolescent behavior is complex. Best friends' internalizing difficulties may decrease externalizing problems, while externalizing difficulties increase them, especially with low parental support.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Behavioral Science
- Social Influence Research
Background:
- Peer influence significantly impacts adolescent internalizing and externalizing difficulties.
- Limited research has simultaneously examined both peer internalizing/externalizing difficulties and parental contributions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal impact of best friends' internalizing and externalizing difficulties on adolescent outcomes.
- To explore the moderating role of maternal and paternal support in these peer-parental influences.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 385 adolescents (Grade 6 to Grade 8).
- Structural equation modeling used to analyze peer difficulties, adolescent outcomes, and parental support.
- Assessment of best friends' internalizing/externalizing difficulties and adolescent internalizing/externalizing difficulties.
Main Results:
- Best friend internalizing difficulties predicted decreases in adolescent externalizing difficulties.
- Best friend externalizing difficulties predicted increases in adolescent externalizing difficulties.
- Maternal and paternal support moderated the negative impact of a friend's internalizing problems on adolescent externalizing problems.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent development of externalizing problems is influenced by both peer and parental factors.
- The interplay between peer difficulties and parental support is crucial for understanding adolescent psychopathology.
- Clinical interventions should consider both peer relationships and family dynamics.
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