Friends: The Role of Peer Influence Across Adolescent Risk Behaviors

• NCJ Number: 195460
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 31 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2002 Pages: 267-277
• Author(s): Kimberly A. Maxwell Ph.D.
• Date Published: August 2002
• Length: 11 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1-RO3-MH-61643-01; P01-HD31921
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD); National Ctr on Minority Health and Health Disparities
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article explores a longitudinal project on peer influence for the risk behaviors of cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, marijuana use, tobacco chewing, and sexual debut.

Abstract

This article presents research on adolescent peer influence concerning five risk behaviors. After discussing the multitude of risks adolescents face in their lives and after presenting research that demonstrates how adolescents’ peers impact their lives, the author describes a survey of 1,969 adolescents, aged 12-18 years old. Using the peer network data set from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, the author collected data on smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, using marijuana, chewing tobacco, sexual debut, and friendship. Analyzing responses concerning friendship influences on risk behaviors using univariate and bivariate analysis, this article suggests that a random same sex peer predicts an adolescent’s risk behavior initiation. Friendship tends to influence the initiation of cigarette smoking and marijuana use, and friends influence the initiation of and cessation of alcohol and chewing tobacco use. Results of this longitudinal project indicate that peers may protect adolescents from risk activities. Tables, references