Peer Factors and Interventions (From Child Delinquents: Development, Intervention, and Service Needs, P 191-209, 2001, Rolf Loeber and David P. Farrington, eds. -- NCJ-207774)

• NCJ Number: 207783
• Author(s): John D. Coie; Shari Miller-Johnson
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 19 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter focuses on research evidence that identifies peer influence as a significant mediating factor in the intermediate and later stages of the development of child delinquents (ages 7-12).

Abstract

There is a large literature on the link between deviant peer associations and juvenile delinquency. One conclusion from the review of these studies is that deviant peers contribute to serious offending during the period of transition to adolescence for child delinquents; however, in contrast to the role of deviant peers in the initiation of offending among late starters, the factors related to early childhood delinquency apparently emerge earlier, i.e., at a time prior to the point when deviant peer associations have usually been measured. Both childhood peer modeling behavior and peer rejection are apparently associated with early childhood aggression and antisocial behavior. Such rejection, however, may be due more to pre-existing aggression than the cause of it. Such rejection may then in turn lead to associations with deviant peers who admire or cooperate in aggressive behavior. In concluding with a discussion of peer-related interventions, the authors address the negative effects of group interventions, as well as the effectiveness of peer relations training and gang prevention. Two successful peer-focused interventions cited used social-skills training in groups with early school-age, high-risk children. 2 figures