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Peer Social Structure and Risk-Taking Behaviors among African American Early Adolescents

Publication ,  Journal Article
Miller-Johnson, S; Costanzo, PR; Coie, JD; Rose, MR; Browne, DC; Johnson, C
Published in: Journal of Youth and Adolescence
October 1, 2003

This study investigated associations between peer status, peer group social influences, and risk-taking behaviors in an urban sample of 647 African American seventh-grade students. The highest rates of problem behaviors were seen in the controversial peer status group, or those youth who were both highly liked and highly disliked by other youth. Findings also revealed contrasting patterns of peer group leadership. The more conventional, positive leadership style predicted lower rates, and the less mainstream, unconventional style predicted higher rates of involvement in problem behaviors. Conventional leaders were most likely to be popular status youth, while unconventional leaders were mostly to be both controversial and popular status youth. Controversial status youth were also more likely to be involved in deviant peer groups. Results highlight the importance of controversial status students as key influence agents during early adolescence. We discuss the implications of these results for preventive interventions to reduce adolescent problem behaviors.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Youth and Adolescence

DOI

ISSN

0047-2891

Publication Date

October 1, 2003

Volume

32

Issue

5

Start / End Page

375 / 384

Related Subject Headings

  • Developmental & Child Psychology
  • 5205 Social and personality psychology
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 5201 Applied and developmental psychology
  • 1701 Psychology
  • 1303 Specialist Studies in Education
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Miller-Johnson, S., Costanzo, P. R., Coie, J. D., Rose, M. R., Browne, D. C., & Johnson, C. (2003). Peer Social Structure and Risk-Taking Behaviors among African American Early Adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 32(5), 375–384. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024926132419
Miller-Johnson, S., P. R. Costanzo, J. D. Coie, M. R. Rose, D. C. Browne, and C. Johnson. “Peer Social Structure and Risk-Taking Behaviors among African American Early Adolescents.” Journal of Youth and Adolescence 32, no. 5 (October 1, 2003): 375–84. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024926132419.
Miller-Johnson S, Costanzo PR, Coie JD, Rose MR, Browne DC, Johnson C. Peer Social Structure and Risk-Taking Behaviors among African American Early Adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 2003 Oct 1;32(5):375–84.
Miller-Johnson, S., et al. “Peer Social Structure and Risk-Taking Behaviors among African American Early Adolescents.” Journal of Youth and Adolescence, vol. 32, no. 5, Oct. 2003, pp. 375–84. Scopus, doi:10.1023/A:1024926132419.
Miller-Johnson S, Costanzo PR, Coie JD, Rose MR, Browne DC, Johnson C. Peer Social Structure and Risk-Taking Behaviors among African American Early Adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 2003 Oct 1;32(5):375–384.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Youth and Adolescence

DOI

ISSN

0047-2891

Publication Date

October 1, 2003

Volume

32

Issue

5

Start / End Page

375 / 384

Related Subject Headings

  • Developmental & Child Psychology
  • 5205 Social and personality psychology
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 5201 Applied and developmental psychology
  • 1701 Psychology
  • 1303 Specialist Studies in Education