NCJ Number
203157
Journal
Youth & Society Volume: 34 Issue: 2 Dated: December 2003 Pages: 183-203
Editor(s)
Kathryn G. Herr
Date Published
December 2003
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study examined whether Mexican-origin adolescents who varied by generational status in the United States would differ with regard to their resistance to peer pressure.
Abstract
Given the ethnic diversity of adolescents living in the United States and the diversity within ethnic groups in terms of generational status, it is worth understanding whether peer relationships are influenced by these factors. This study examined generational differences in resistance to the peer pressure based on the idea that adolescents’ who had been in the United States for fewer generations would take up peer relationship schemas that would result in greater resistance to peer pressure than their counterparts who had been in the United States for more generations. Data for this study were taken from a larger study designed to examine identity formation among adolescents. Data were gathered from Mexican-origin adolescents (n=1,062) from 3 high schools in a large Southwestern city. Participation in the study was voluntary. The questionnaire completed by the adolescents assessed various demographic factors with a number of measures. The findings from the study provided support for the hypothesis that adolescents with similar ethnic background but with differing familial histories in the United States would report different reactions to peer pressure. The data were not available to directly examine adolescents’ relationship schemas. The findings are limited to adolescents living in the United States. However, the theoretical implications of differing peer relationship schemas for immigrant adolescents may apply to adolescents who live in countries that have high rates of immigration and should be examined internationally. References