A Developmental Perspective on Peer Rejection, Deviant Peer Affiliation, and Conduct Problems Among Youth

Peer Discrimination, Deviant Peer Affiliation, and Latino/a Adolescent Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms: A Prospective Study

OBJECTIVE

U.S. Latino/a adolescents experience high levels of ethnic discrimination, particularly in new immigrant destinations. Due to the salience of peers during adolescence, this study examined how peer discrimination related directly and indirectly, through deviant peer affiliation, to changes in Latino/a adolescents' internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Culture-specific moderators hypothesized to buffer discrimination impacts on adolescent symptomology included Spanish language enculturation and adolescents' social ties to relatives in the family's country-of-origin.

METHOD

The sample of 547 Latino/a adolescent participants from the Caminos al Bienestar study (55.4% female; age M = 12.8, range = 11-16) was selected at random from middle schools in a large, suburban school district in Atlanta, Georgia. Three time points of survey data spaced roughly 6 months apart were collected during 2018 and 2019.

RESULTS

Results from longitudinal structural equation models revealed that peer discrimination was associated indirectly with increased externalizing symptoms, through increases in affiliation with deviant peers (β = 0.05; SE = 0.02; B = 0.02; 95% CI = 0.01, 0.09). We did not observe direct or indirect effects of peer discrimination on changes in internalizing symptoms, and we found no significant protective effects of either Spanish language enculturation or social ties with the country-of-origin.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethnic discrimination by peers may lead to deviant peer affiliation and, in turn, increased externalizing behaviors. Future research identifying protective factors that buffer discrimination impacts on deviant peer affiliation is needed to inform the development of interventions that can prevent Latino/a adolescents' externalizing symptoms.

Deviant peer affiliation, self-control, and aggression during early adolescence: within-person effects and between-person differences

Abundant studies have explored the relations among deviant peer affiliation, self-control, and aggression without separating within-person from between-person effects. Moreover, it is unclear whether self-control mediates the associations between deviant peer affiliation and aggression during early adolescence. This longitudinal study used Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model to examine the dynamic relations among deviant peer affiliation, self-control, and aggression within individuals, including examining whether self-control mediated the relations between deviant peer affiliation and aggression. A total of 4078 early adolescents (54% boys, Mage = 9.91, SD = 0.73) completed questionnaires on four occasions across 2 years. Results indicated: (a) Deviant peer affiliation and aggression positively predicted each other; (b) Self-control and aggression negatively predicted each other but were unstable; (c) Deviant peer affiliation and self-control negatively predicted each other; and (d) Self-control mediated the path from aggression to deviant peer affiliation, but not vice versa. The results more precisely identify the relations among deviant peer affiliation, self-control, and aggression within individuals, providing valuable information for prevention and intervention programs targeted at alleviating early adolescent aggression.

Adverse childhood experiences and deviant peer affiliation among Chinese delinquent adolescents: the role of relative deprivation and age

Background

Deviant peer affiliation is considered a potential risk factor for adolescent delinquency. Due to the serious situation of adolescent delinquency in China, it is necessary to investigate the mechanisms by which adolescents associate with deviant peers.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and deviant peer affiliation, the mediating effect of relative deprivation, and the moderating effect of age in a sample of Chinese delinquent adolescents.

Methods

Five hundred and forty-two Special School students aged 11-18 years were interviewed and completed questionnaires, including demographics, adverse childhood experiences, deviant peer affiliation, and relative deprivation.

Results

(1) After controlling for gender, adverse childhood experiences and deviant peer affiliation were significantly and positively associated among delinquent adolescents. (2) The effect of ACEs on deviant peer affiliation was mediated by relative deprivation. (3) Age played a moderating role not only in the relationship between ACEs and relative deprivation, but also in the indirect relationship in which ACEs influence deviant peer affiliation through relative deprivation; specifically, the indirect effect of ACEs influencing deviant peer affiliation through relative deprivation was stronger in early adolescence compared with late adolescence.

Conclusion

Overall, early ACEs play an important role in deviant peer affiliation among delinquent adolescents and relative deprivation is an important mediating variable. The results of the present study emphasize the importance of cognitive interventions for delinquent adolescents who experience ACEs in early adolescence, which may be instructive for the prevention of adolescent delinquency.

Developmental trajectories of conduct problems and time-varying peer problems: the Bergen child study

BACKGROUND

While it is increasingly acknowledged that conduct problems and peer problems often co-occur in development, less is known about the ways in which peer problems may alter the developmental course of conduct problems for distinct subgroups.

METHODS

Using data from a large population-based study in Norway (the Bergen Child Study/youth@hordaland; 47.4% males), we estimated group-based trajectories of conduct problems and the presence of time-varying peer problems on the developmental progression of conduct problems between seven and 19 years of age. Risk factors for group membership were also examined.

RESULTS

A 3-group model of conduct problems best fit the data (non-engagers, low-engagers, moderate-stable). The presence of peer problems increased the estimated level of conduct problems for both the low-engagers and moderate-stable groups across adolescence. No differences in conduct problems were observed when peer problems were present in childhood or preadolescence for these two groups, nor for the non-engagers group at any point. Being male, having lower perceived economic wellbeing, and lower levels of parental education predicted group membership for the moderate-stable group, whilst lower paternal education predicted membership for the low-engagers group.

CONCLUSIONS

Support for developmental 'turning points' was found, suggesting that adolescence is a particularly salient time for those with conduct problems. In particular, the presence of peer problems can increase observed conduct problems at this stage in development.

Latent Transitions of Census-level Deprivation and Network Analysis of Conduct Problem Behaviours

Conduct problems are more prevalent in neighbourhoods that have a vulnerable structure (e.g., high neighbourhood-level deprivation) and disarranged interpersonal characteristics (e.g., low social cohesion and informal social control at the neighbourhood level). However, as an indicator of neighbourhood structure, neighbourhood deprivation has typically not been assessed longitudinally and solely based on neighbourhood-level socioeconomic status rather than a wide variety of census-level deprivation indicators. Also, few studies have examined which CD behaviours (e.g., stealing) interplay with neighbourhood risks (e.g., low social cohesion). In this study, latent transitions of neighbourhood-level deprivation patterns, based on census-level information, were estimated between age 12.5 and 15.5 using the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). In network models, we employed multi-informant variables and estimated interplays between mother-reported CD behaviours and child-reported social cohesion, informal social control and deviant peer affiliations within different patterns of the latent neighbourhood-level deprivation transitions. We identified three constant deprivation patterns: deprived, intermediate and low pattern. In the deprived pattern, the CD behaviour "bullying" had the highest interplay with lack of social cohesions, social control, and high deviant peer affiliation. In contrast, non-violent CD behaviours: "lying" and "staying after dark ", showed importance in the intermediate and low patterns, respectively. Regardless of deprivation patterns, social cohesion played a protective role, whereas affiliation with deviant peers involved in property crime was a risk factor for CD behaviours. The identified CD behaviours can serve as a screening tool, and interventions increasing social cohesion might mitigate CD development.

A developmental cascade model of adolescent peer relationships, substance use, and psychopathological symptoms from child maltreatment

INTRODUCTION

Although previous studies have demonstrated high intercorrelations among deviant peer affiliation, substance use, externalizing and internalizing symptoms in adolescence, these studies have been limited because they did not examine 1) the associations over time by assuming one particular sequence; and 2) child maltreatment effects.

METHODS

This study included 617 adolescents (54.3 % girls, 55.6 % Black) at-risk of maltreatment living in the U.S and primarily low-income. Deviant peer affiliation was assessed at ages 12, 14, and 16 using 13 items from the modified version of the Youth Risk Behavior and Monitoring the Future Survey. Externalizing and internalizing symptoms were measured at ages 12, 14, and 16 using the Child Behavior Checklist. The number of substances used (ages 12, 14, 16, and 18) were created by summing the self-reported alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use. Each type of maltreatment (birth to age 12) was assessed using the self-report.

RESULTS

Autoregressive cross-lagged structural equation modeling explained the stability effects within each domain, as well as how different maltreatment types affect diverse developmental processes. Cross-lagged results showed the socialization effects of peers on substance use, whereas the peer selection effects on externalizing symptoms. Physical abuse was only associated with externalizing symptoms, while sexual abuse was associated with both externalizing and internalizing symptoms. Additionally, emotional abuse was associated with deviant peer affiliation and substance use.

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying the underlying reciprocal processes offers a deeper understanding of peer relationships in the substance use and externalizing symptoms among at-risk of maltreatment sample.

Socioecological Predictors of Change in Adolescent Tobacco Use Across Waves 1-4 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study

BACKGROUND

Despite decreases in adolescents' cigarette use over the past decade, overall rates of adolescent tobacco use have increased. Research examining adolescents' changes across a range of tobacco products reflective of the current market, as well as multilevel predictors of use trajectories is needed.

METHODS

Data derive from Waves 1-4 (W1-4; 2013-2018) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study. Participants included 975 adolescents who used ≥1 tobacco product (cigarettes, electronic cigarettes [ECIGs], traditional cigars, cigarillos, filtered cigars, snus, smokeless tobacco [SLT], hookah) at any wave (W1 Mage = 13.29 [0.86], 54.2% male; 54.5% White, 25.9% Hispanic).

RESULTS

Utilizing latent growth curve modeling (separate models per product), adolescents displayed increases in their past 30-day use of all tobacco products from W1-4. Greater W1 use was predicted by identifying as non-Hispanic (cigarettes); lower parent education (SLT); greater externalizing problems (cigarillos); greater motives (all products except cigarillos); greater youth-reported household smoking rules (cigarillos); and greater isolation (ECIGs). More use across time (i.e., higher slope) was predicted by older age (cigarettes); identifying as male (ECIGs, SLT), Black (vs. White; cigarillos), White (vs. Black, Hispanic; ECIGs, SLT); fewer externalizing problems (SLT); fewer motives (ECIGs); fewer youth-reported rules (cigarillos, SLT); and greater geographic isolation (cigarettes, SLT).

DISCUSSION

Although some individual-level factors (i.e., motives, externalizing problems) predicted greater W1 use (i.e., intercept) only, interpersonal- (parent rules) and community-level (geographic isolation) factors were associated with changes in use over time (i.e., slope). Intervention efforts may address such factors to reduce adolescents' escalations in use.

Multi-Trajectories of Conduct Problems, Hyperactivity/Inattention, and Peer Problems Across Childhood: Results from the Growing Up in Scotland Birth Cohort

Using a person-centred approach, this study inspected multi-trajectories of conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention and peer problems, and associated risk factors for group membership. The sample included 3,578 children (50.8% males) from a population birth cohort in Scotland (Growing Up in Scotland). The parental version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used when children were 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10 years old. Antecedent factors at the perinatal, child, and family levels were collected using parental reports, observation, and standardised assessments at 10, 24, and 36 months. A group-based multi-trajectory analysis was employed. Findings showed that a six-group model best fit the data. Identified groups included non-engagers, normative, decreasing externalising/low peer problems, low externalising/moderate peer problems, moderate externalising/increasing peer problems and multimorbid moderate-high chronic. Findings suggest multimorbidity between externalising behaviours and peer problems in the more elevated groups. Two common protective factors emerged across all groups: caregiver mental health and parent-infant attachment. Identified risk factors were specific to group membership. Risk factors for the most elevated group included single-parent status, social deprivation, previous neonatal intensive care unit admission, child sex, whilst children's expressive language was a protective factor. Taken together, findings contribute to the emerging literature modelling trajectories of externalising behaviours and peer problems simultaneously and have important practical implications for prevention of problems in childhood, by identifying targets at the perinatal, child, and family levels.

Multi-Trajectories of Conduct Problems, Hyperactivity/Inattention, and Peer Problems Across Childhood: Results from the Growing Up in Scotland Birth Cohort

Using a person-centred approach, this study inspected multi-trajectories of conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention and peer problems, and associated risk factors for group membership. The sample included 3,578 children (50.8% males) from a population birth cohort in Scotland (Growing Up in Scotland). The parental version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used when children were 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10 years old. Antecedent factors at the perinatal, child, and family levels were collected using parental reports, observation, and standardised assessments at 10, 24, and 36 months. A group-based multi-trajectory analysis was employed. Findings showed that a six-group model best fit the data. Identified groups included non-engagers, normative, decreasing externalising/low peer problems, low externalising/moderate peer problems, moderate externalising/increasing peer problems and multimorbid moderate-high chronic. Findings suggest multimorbidity between externalising behaviours and peer problems in the more elevated groups. Two common protective factors emerged across all groups: caregiver mental health and parent-infant attachment. Identified risk factors were specific to group membership. Risk factors for the most elevated group included single-parent status, social deprivation, previous neonatal intensive care unit admission, child sex, whilst children's expressive language was a protective factor. Taken together, findings contribute to the emerging literature modelling trajectories of externalising behaviours and peer problems simultaneously and have important practical implications for prevention of problems in childhood, by identifying targets at the perinatal, child, and family levels.

The association between peer rejection and aggression types: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Although previous studies have assessed the association between peer rejection and aggression, the results are mixed.

OBJECTIVE

This article presents a meta-analysis of the association between peer rejection and aggression types (overt vs. relational) among children and adolescents.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

A total of 61 eligible studies with 70 independent effect sizes were included in the analysis (45,966 participants, M_age = 10.34, SD = 3.13).

METHODS

First, random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to explore the association between peer rejection and aggression types (overt vs. relational). Next, moderation analyses were conducted based on the Q statistics for categorical variables (culture, reporting method of peer rejection, reporting method of aggression) and the meta-regression analyses for continuous variable (age).

RESULTS

Peer rejection was positively correlated with overall aggression (r = 0.42, 95 % CI [0.38, 0.47], p < 0.001), overt aggression (r = 0.46, 95 % CI [0.38, 0.54], p < 0.001) and relational aggression (r = 0.43, 95 % CI [0.35, 0.51], p < 0.001). This correlation was positive for each type when controlling for other form of aggression. Moderation analyses suggested that reporting method of aggression (self-report vs. peer-nomination vs. adult-report vs. observation), reporting method of peer rejection (self-report vs. peer-nomination vs. adult-report) and culture (collectivist vs. individualist) were moderators of the association between peer rejection and overall aggression. Culture moderated the association between peer rejection and overt aggression, while age moderated the association between peer rejection and relational aggression.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings showed a strong positive association between peer rejection and aggression, although this association varied by aggression type and other moderating variables.

Bullying perpetration and social status in the peer group: A meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Associations between bullying perpetration and social status vary, not only between different facets of social status but also between bullying in primary versus secondary school. The main aim of the present study was to meta-analyse existing evidence regarding the prospective associations between bullying perpetration and various facets of social status, that is, popularity, peer acceptance, peer rejection, and social preference.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched to identify studies on bullying perpetration and later social status published up to January 17, 2022. Multilevel random effects models were performed using Metafor and differences in effect sizes as a function of substantive and methodological moderators were tested.

RESULTS

In total, 116 effects were included from 18 publications, reporting on 17 different samples and more than 15,000 participants (mean age bullying assessment = 11.57 years, on average 51% female participants). Most samples were from the United States (7) or Europe (7). Overall, bullies were more popular, but also more rejected and scored lower on social preference compared with non-bullies. These associations remained when effects were adjusted for previous social status and other confounders. No link between bullying perpetration and acceptance was found. There was little evidence that effect sizes differed as a function of moderators.

CONCLUSIONS

Bullies become more popular over time, but also have a higher risk of being rejected and being less socially preferred. Bullying perpetrators are more popular but also more rejected by their peers. There is no evidence that these links differ depending on sex or age at which perpetrators bully, reporter or type of bullying.

Peer correlates of conduct problems in girls

Conduct problems are increasingly prevalent in girls and they uniquely predict negative outcomes. Yet, few reliable risk factors for aggression and violence in girls and women have been identified. Although preliminary evidence suggests peer relationships may be central to the development of youth conduct problems, especially in girls, rigorous interactive models of peer risk and protective factors for conduct problems are lacking. Based on 3104 10-13-year-old girls in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development study, we tested the independent associations of separate peer risk factors (i.e., relational aggression victimization, physical aggression victimization, and deviant peer affiliation) with multidimensional conduct problems, including their moderation by peer support. Being the victim of relational aggression, being the victim of physical aggression, and deviant peer affiliation were each positively associated with conduct problems and perpetration of aggression whereas peer support was negatively associated with youth report conduct problems and perpetration of physical aggression. Further, elevated peer support significantly attenuated the association of being the victim of relational aggression with teacher-rated conduct problems. These results highlight the sensitivity of conduct problems to peer risk factors and suggest that peer support designates important configurations of risk that differentially relate to conduct problems in girls.

Early Childhood Behavioral and Academic Antecedents of Lifetime Opioid Misuse among Urban Youth

OBJECTIVE

Opioid misuse has become an epidemic in the United States. In the present study, we examine potential malleable early childhood predictors of opioid misuse including whether childhood achievement, aggressive behavior, attention problems, and peer social preference/likability in first grade predicted opioid misuse and whether these relationships differed depending on participant sex.

METHOD

Data are drawn from three cohorts of participants (N = 1,585; 46.7% male) recruited in first grade as part of a series of elementary school-based, universal preventive interventions conducted in a Mid-Atlantic region of the US. In first grade, participants completed standardized achievement tests, teachers reported on attention problems, and peers nominated their classmates with respect to their aggressive behavior and social preference/likability. At approximately age 20, participants reported on their misuse of opioids defined as lifetime use of heroin or misuse of prescription opioids.

RESULTS

Higher levels of peer nominations for aggressive behavior in first grade predicted a greater likelihood of opioid misuse. An interaction between participant sex and attention problems was observed such that females higher in attention problems were more likely to misuse opioids, particularly prescription opioids, than females lower in attention problems. An interaction was also found between participant sex and peer likability such that males lower in peer-nominated likability were more likely to misuse opioids relative to males higher in likability.

CONCLUSION

Given the malleable nature of attention problems, aggression, and social skills in early childhood, prevention programs that target these behaviors during this developmental period may attenuate risk for opioid misuse.

Behavioral problems in anxious youth: Cross-sectional and prospective associations with reinforcement sensitivity and parental rejection

A subsample of children and young people (CYP) with anxiety disorders presents with comorbid behavioral problems. These CYP have greater impairment in daily life, profit less from current treatments, and have an increased risk for continued mental problems. We investigated two potential explanations for these comorbid behavioral problems. First, high punishment sensitivity (PS) may lead to a strong inclination to experience threat, which may not only elicit anxiety but also defensive behavioral problems. Second, behavioral problems may arise from high reward sensitivity (RS), when rewards are not obtained. Behavioral problems may subsequently elicit parental rejection, thereby fueling anxiety. We used a cross-sectional (age = 16.1, N = 61) and prospective (age = 22.2, N = 91) approach to test the relationship between PS/RS and comorbid behavioral problems. Participants were a subsample of highly anxious CYP from a large prospective cohort study. PS/RS were indexed by a spatial orientation task. We also investigated the prospective association between behavioral problems and anxiety at 6-year follow-up, and the proposed mediation by parental rejection. PS and RS showed no cross-sectional or prospective relationships with comorbid behavioral problems in highly anxious CYP. Yet, behavioral problems in adolescence showed a small prospective relationship with anxiety in young adulthood, but this was not mediated nor moderated by parental rejection. No evidence was found for PS/RS being involved in comorbid behavioral problems in anxious CYP. Findings point to comorbid behavioral problems as potential factor contributing to the further increase of anxiety.

Distrust Moderates the Effect of Deviant Peer Affiliation on Increased Externalizing in Adolescents

Deviant peer affiliation predicts externalizing behavior in adolescence, but no research explores how having negative or suspicious expectations of others (i.e., distrust) may evoke or buffer against the relationship between deviant peer affiliation and externalizing behavior. The current study used data across two timepoints to investigate the impact of deviant peer affiliation and distrust on externalizing behavior 3 years later and whether race/ethnicity moderated this relationship. The sample consisted of 611 adolescents from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods Study (48% male; M_age = 15.5 years, SD = 1.6; 17% White; 34% Black; 49% Hispanic). Higher levels of distrust buffered against the influence of deviant peer affiliation on externalizing behaviors. Further, this buffering was evident in Black compared to White adolescents. Understanding externalizing behavior warrants considering the intersection between the person and their environment.

Peer Status as a Potential Risk or Protective Factor: A Latent Profile Analysis on Peer Status and Its Association with Internalizing Symptoms in Adolescents with and without Parental Physical Abuse Experience

Research has well established that parental physical abuse experiences can lead to devastating consequences for adolescents, with peer relationships acting as both protective and risk factors. With the person-centered latent profile analysis (LPA), we analyzed questionnaire data from a cross-sectional study in 2020 composed of a sample of 1959 seventh-grade high school students from Switzerland. This study investigated and compared peer-status profiles combining peer acceptance and peer popularity for adolescents with and without parental physical abuse experiences. We conducted a multinomial logistic regression analysis to investigate further depression, anxiety, and dissociation as predictors of profile membership. With LPA, we identified three distinct profiles for adolescents within the subgroup with experiences of parental physical abuse (n = 344), namely liked, liked-popular, and rejected-unpopular. Within the subgroup of adolescents without parental physical abuse experiences (n = 1565), LPA revealed four profiles, namely liked, liked-popular, rejected-unpopular, and average. For adolescents with parental physical abuse experiences, higher levels of dissociation significantly indicated they were more likely to belong to the rejected-unpopular group than belong to the liked group. Anxious students without experiences of parental physical abuse were more likely to belong to the rejected-unpopular and liked profiles than belong to the liked-popular and average profiles. These findings clearly argue for a deeper understanding of the role of parental physical abuse when analyzing the relationship between dissociation and anxiety and peer status. Operationalizing peer status with the four individual dimensions of likeability, rejection, popularity, and unpopularity was valuable in that the role of peer rejection with respect to different internalizing symptoms became apparent.

Predicting Adolescent Internet Gaming Addiction from Perceived Discrimination, Deviant Peer Affiliation and Maladaptive Cognitions in the Chinese Population: A Two-Year Longitudinal Study

A robust positive association between perceived discrimination and Internet gaming addiction (IGA) among adolescents has been demonstrated by existing research; however, the mediating mechanisms underlying this relationship remain largely unknown. This study, grounded in the cognitive–behavioral and social development models, examined whether deviant peer affiliation and maladaptive cognitions mediated the predictive effect of perceived discrimination on adolescent IGA. Six-hundred-and-sixty students (Mean_age = 13.43 years; 367 female participants) recruited from southern China participated in four assessments (fall 7th grade, spring 7th grade, fall 8th grade, spring 8th grade). Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire that assessed their demographics, as well as questionnaire measures of perceived discrimination, deviant peer affiliation, maladaptive cognitions, and IGA. The structural equation model showed that fall 7th grade’s perceived discrimination positively predicted spring 7th grade’s deviant peer affiliation, which, in turn, increased fall 8th grade’s maladaptive cognitions, ultimately increasing spring 8th grade’s IGA. Moreover, the indirect effect of fall 7th grade’s perceived discrimination on spring 8th grade’s IGA via spring 7th grade’s deviant peer affiliation was also significant. The results suggested deviant peer affiliation and maladaptive cognitions as potential mediating mechanisms linking perceived discrimination to adolescent IGA. These findings have important implications for the prevention and intervention of adolescent IGA.

Developmental Cascade Effects of Maternal Depression on Offspring Substance Use Across Adolescence: Pathway Through Mother-Child Relationship Quality and Peer Deviancy

There is evidence that maternal depression can disrupt adolescent social development and trigger a risk cascade to adolescent substance use that involves poor quality mother-child relationships (Lovejoy et al., 2000) and affiliation with deviant peers (Visser et al., 2012). However, relatively little work has considered maternal depression as a catalyst for this risk pathway to adolescent substance use. The current study aims to clarify whether maternal depression has cascading effects to adolescent substance use through related developmental systems. Using structural equation modeling and bootstrapping for testing indirect effects, we tested the prospective association between maternal depression and middle adolescent substance use and whether poor mother-child relationship quality and peer deviancy mediated this relationship. We controlled for a variety of important cofounding variables. The sample included N = 338 adolescents (57% female; predominantly non-Hispanic Caucasian (83.14%) or African American (8.88%)) and mothers drawn from a larger nine-year longitudinal study of adolescent substance use. Data from wave 1 through wave 6 of the longitudinal project were utilized. The average age of adolescents was 11.6, 12.6, 13.6, 14.6, 15.5, and 16.6 at W1-W6, respectively. The indirect effect from maternal depression to substance use was supported (ab = 0.03, 95% CI [0.002, 0.07]). Findings emphasize that future work should more closely examine how maternal depression operates in developmental cascade models of adolescent substance use.

Exploring Whether Talking With Parents, Siblings, and Friends Moderates the Association Between Peer Victimization and Adverse Psychosocial Outcomes

The purpose of this study is to explore whether talking with parents, siblings, and friends will moderate the association between peer victimization and adverse outcomes (internalizing problems, alcohol/tobacco use, and delinquent friend affiliation). Data were derived from the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children, 2009 to 2010 cohort study in the United States (n = 12,642). Bivariate, logistic regression and ordinal least squares regression analyses were conducted. Peer victimization was found to be associated with all the adverse outcomes. Although ease of talking with parents had a lower likelihood of alcohol/tobacco use, it increased alcohol/tobacco risk when peer victimization increased. Ease of talking with friends showed a higher likelihood of alcohol/tobacco use, but the likelihood was lower when peer victimization increased. Ease of talking with parents and ease of talking with friends both lowered the likelihood of delinquent friend affiliation; however, ease of talking with parents increased the risk of delinquent friend affiliation when peer victimization increased. Moreover, ease of talking with friends decreased the risk of internalizing problems, although it increased the risk of such behaviors when peer victimization increased. Talking with siblings did not buffer the association between peer victimization and adverse outcomes. Implications for practice are also discussed.

Trauma during Early Adolescence and Boys' Social Behavior: A Focus on Teen Dating Violence

Although early adolescence is increasingly recognized as commencing a sensitive period for social development, little research exists on the impact of trauma exposure during this juncture. We hypothesized that trauma experienced during early adolescence would be particularly disruptive to the acquisition of social skills necessary for healthy future relationships. Among 1500 boys from the National Comorbidity Study Adolescent Supplement, we examined trauma exposure across developmental periods on interpersonal outcomes in late adolescence. Most (62.3%) participants reported prior exposure to at least one potentially traumatic event, and rates of such exposures generally increased linearly over time with a relative spike in exposure occurring at age 15. Trauma exposure during early adolescence, but not other developmental periods, uniquely predicted boys' perpetration of physical teen dating violence (TDV; OR = 2.2) and broader social problems (B = 2.061, SE = .091) in late adolescence. In contrast, and consistent with existing literature, trauma exposure early in development and during mid-adolescence predicted late adolescence conduct disorder diagnoses. At least in the context of early adolescent exposure, the link between trauma and TDV perpetration may be conceptualized within a broader framework of social competence rather than oft-purported antisociality. Early adolescence may present opportunities for targeted prevention of TDV and broader social problems.

Sex differences in bidirectional associations between conduct problems and cannabis use across two years of adolescence

BACKGROUND

There is a large body of research that has identified bidirectional associations between conduct problems and cannabis use. Despite growing knowledge regarding comorbidities between conduct problems and cannabis use, it remains unclear whether these findings generalize across both males and females. The current study examined sex differences in longitudinal associations between conduct problems and cannabis use in a predominantly Hispanic sample of adolescents followed over a two-year period.

METHODS

Participants were 401 adolescents (89.8% Hispanic, 46% female; M_age = 15.5) taking part in a two-year longitudinal investigation examining the associations between neurocognitive functioning and cannabis use. The sample consisted predominantly of youth selected for risk of cannabis escalation, with 90% reporting using cannabis, nicotine, or alcohol prior to baseline. Negative binomial cross-lagged regressions and simple slope difference tests were used for all analyses.

RESULTS

We found support for bidirectional associations between conduct problems and cannabis use, controlling for demographics, covariates, and baseline frequencies. Simple slope difference tests revealed that there was a significant, positive association between baseline cannabis use and subsequent conduct problems among females but not males. In contrast, the association between baseline conduct problems and subsequent frequency of cannabis use did not differ as a function of sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results underscore the importance of viewing cannabis use as a risk factor for maladjustment rather than solely as a consequence, particularly among female adolescents. Information gained from temporal sequencing of cannabis use and conduct problem symptoms can guide the selection of intervention programs for referred youth.

Parenting and Sibling Relationships in Family with Disruptive Behavior Disorders. Are Non-Clinical Siblings More Vulnerable for Emotional and Behavioral Problems?

Disruptive Behavior Disorders (DBD) are the most common mental health disorders in the school-aged child population. Although harsh parenting is a key risk factor in the shaping of DBD, studies neglect the presence of siblings and differential parenting. This study aims to compare: (1) parenting style and sibling relationship in sibling dyads of clinical families, composed of a DBD child and a non-clinical sibling, with control families composed of two non-clinical siblings; (2) parenting style, sibling relationship, and emotional and behavioral problems in DBD child, non-clinical sibling, and non-clinical child of control group. Sixty-one families (composed of mother and sibling dyads), divided into clinical (n = 27) and control (n = 34) groups, completed the APQ, SRI, and CBCL questionnaires. Results indicated differential parenting in clinical families, compared to control group families, with higher negative parenting toward the DBD child than the sibling; no difference emerged in sibling relationship within sibling dyads (clinical vs. control). Finally, externalizing and internalizing problems were higher in DBD children and their siblings, compared to control, indicating DBD sibling psychopathology vulnerability. Findings suggest inclusion of siblings in the clinical assessment and rehabilitative intervention of DBD children, given that the promotion of positive parenting could improve mental health in the offspring.

Rating Scales for Behavioral Health Screening System Within Pediatric Primary Care

Barriers to conducting standardized behavioral health screening within pediatric primary care settings include engaging youth and families, limited time available for this activity, and difficulties related to obtaining behavioral health consultation and treatment from specialists. Child and adolescent psychiatrists may assist pediatric primary care practices with engaging youth and families around screening by assisting with identifying rating scales that have good psychometric characteristics across multiple languages and are validated in diverse samples and available within the public domain. Additionally, they may partner with pediatric primary care professionals to assist with optimizing screening workflows and linkage to specialized services.

Community Violence Exposure and Externalizing Problem Behavior Among Chinese High School Students: The Moderating Role of Parental Knowledge

Adolescents' community violence exposure (CVE) has been demonstrated with a range of behavioral and psychological problems, but the processes that explain these correlations are not clear. In our 2017 study, the mediating role of deviant peer affiliation in the relationship between CVE and externalizing problem behaviors has been confirmed. However, the moderating effect of parental factors is still unclear. Therefore, a new group (high school group) was adopted in this study to further explore the moderating effect of parental knowledge based on also confirming the mediating effect of deviant peer affiliation. Stratified-cluster sampling was used to recruit 1,797 volunteers who completed questionnaires on CVE, deviant peer affiliation, parental knowledge, and externalizing problem behaviors. The results of the structural equation modeling were: on the basis of our previous research, we further analyzed the mediating role of deviant peer affiliation, and the mediated association was moderated by parental knowledge. Especially when the school climate is added as a covariate, the moderating effect of parental knowledge has changed, that is, the positive association between CVE and externalizing problem behaviors was much stronger for adolescents who reported lower levels of parental knowledge than for those who reported higher levels of parental knowledge. The results support the assumptions of social learning theory and have implications for interventions of community violence.

Recommendations for Assessment of Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Health for the National Children's Study

The Social Emotional Behavioral (SEB) Team of the National Children's Study (NCS) was tasked with making recommendations for assessment of important aspects of social-emotional health and function in children. This paper describes the constructs recommended for assessment along with the rationale for their assessment. These constructs, representing aspects of Social Relationships, Social Capital, Temperament, Negative Affect, Externalizing Behavior, Social Competence, Self-efficacy, Self-image, Psychological well-being, Ethnic/racial Socialization, Perceived Discrimination, Sexual Orientation, Religiosity, and Perceived Stress and Resilience were identified as being critical to the understanding of children's health and development from birth to age 21.

An Evaluation of Dual Systems Theories of Adolescent Delinquency in a Normative Longitudinal Cohort Study of Youth

Dual systems theories of adolescent risk-taking propose that the socioemotional and self-regulation systems develop at different rates, resulting in a peak in sensation-seeking in adolescence at a time when self-regulation abilities are not yet fully mature. This “developmental imbalance” between bottom-up drives for reward and top-down control is proposed to create a period of vulnerability for high-risk behaviors such as delinquency, substance use, unprotected sex, and reckless driving. In this study, data from the Swiss longitudinal normative z-proso study (n = 1522, n = 784 male; aged 11, 13, 15, 17, and 20) were used to test whether the presence of a developmental imbalance between sensation-seeking and self-regulation is associated with trajectories of engagement in delinquency across early adolescence to adulthood. Using a latent class growth analysis of sensation-seeking, self-regulation, and delinquency, it was found that a model with 3 classes was optimal in the whole sample and male sub-sample, including one class characterized by a developmental imbalance and corresponding adolescent peak in delinquency. In females, there was no evidence for a class that could be described according to the trajectories hypothesized in dual systems theory. This study’s results support the claim that a developmental imbalance may drive an adolescent increase in delinquency. However, this applies only to a small subgroup of individuals, particularly males.

Understanding Youth Perceptions of Neighborhood Disorder: The Role of Conduct Problems

While research addresses neighborhood disorder as leading to conduct problems, the role of individual-level differences in shaping adolescent perceptions of neighborhood has been overlooked. Data on youth, over-selected for childhood conduct problems (N = 744, 58% childhood conduct problems, 47% girls), were used to examine the link between conduct problems (time 1: Mean age = 12.23) and perceived neighborhood disorder (time 3: M = 14.30). The mediating role of delinquent friends, peer victimization, depressive symptoms, and observer-rated neighborhood disorder (time 2: M = 13.23) were also tested. Conduct problems were associated with higher levels of perceived neighborhood disorder, via delinquent peers and peer victimization. These findings offer new insight into the consequences of perceived neighborhood disorder for health and wellbeing.

Do risk profiles moderate the relation between age of onset of disruptive behaviour and two types of externalising problems among adolescents admitted to secure residential care?

BACKGROUND

Adolescents with externalising problems in secure residential care differ in age of onset of disruptive behaviour and in cumulative risks in several domains. In order to reduce negative consequences of externalising behaviour for society and the adolescents themselves, it is important to gain more insight into the complexity and heterogeneity of disruptive behaviour in these adolescents. To look beyond the influence of single risk factors, the aim of this study is to investigate the moderator effect of co-occurring risk factors in multiple domains on the relation between age of onset of disruptive behaviour and two types of externalising problems in adolescence.

METHODS

Retrospectively collected data of 225 adolescents admitted to secure residential care were analysed. The four risk profiles were based on co-occurring pre-admission risk factors in four domains, which were identified in a previous study by latent class analysis. Multiple regression models were used to test whether the independent variable age of onset and dummy-coded moderator variable risk profiles had statistically significant associations with aggressive behaviour and rule-breaking behaviour of the adolescents, as reported by professional caregivers in the first months of admission.

RESULTS

Risk profiles moderated the relation between age of onset of disruptive behaviour and rule-breaking behaviour. Adolescents with childhood-onset disruptive behaviour within the risk profile with mainly family risks showed more rule-breaking behaviour in the first months of their admission to secure residential care than adolescents with an onset in adolescence within the same risk profile. Risk profiles, however, did not moderate the relation between age of onset of disruptive behaviour and aggressive behaviour.

CONCLUSION

Heterogeneity of aggressive and rule-breaking behaviour was established in this study by finding differences on these two types of externalising behaviour between the childhood- and adolescence-onset groups and between the four risk profiles. Furthermore, risk profiles moderated the effect between age of onset of disruptive behaviour and rule-breaking behaviour-not aggressive behaviour-in adolescents admitted to secure residential care. While respecting the limitations, adolescents' childhood-onset disruptive behaviour within a profile with mainly family risk factors appear to be distinctive from adolescents with adolescence-onset disruptive behaviour within the same risk profile.

The roles of child maltreatment types and peer relationships on behavior problems in early adolescence

BACKGROUND

Although previous research has established that child maltreatment (CM) and peer relationships (i.e., deviant peer affiliation, being ignored by peers) are strong predictors of adolescent internalizing (INT) and externalizing (EXT) behavior problems, no study has examined the above effects concurrently. Nor have researchers investigated the potential peer relationship differences in the effects of CM types on adolescent behavior problems. Thus, this study aims to examine the independent and combined effects of different types of CM and peer relationships on behavior problems.

METHODS

The Generalized Estimating Equations approach was conducted using the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect. Child-Protective-Services reports and youth self-reports were used for each type of CM. Deviant peer affiliation (DP) has been assessed using a modified version of the Youth-Risk-Behavior-and-Monitoring-the-Future Survey, while being ignored by peers was assessed using a single question. Adolescent INT and EXT were measured using the Youth-Self-Report.

RESULTS

Emotional abuse was associated with both INT and EXT, whereas physical abuse was associated with EXT. Higher DP and higher incidence of being ignored by peers were both associated with higher levels of INT and EXT. Emotionally abused youth with higher levels of DP had less INT, compared to emotionally abused youth with lower levels of DP.

CONCLUSION

The Findings indicate the need for interventions that 1) take into account the different effects of CM types, specifically for emotionally abused youth; 2) help youth to build positive relationships with peers; and 3) work to reduce the possibility of affiliation with deviant peers.

Epistemic Trust and the Emergence of Conduct Problems: Aggression in the Service of Communication

Fonagy and colleagues have recently proposed that deficits in the capacity for epistemic trust (i. e., the expectation that interpersonal communication is relevant to the addressee) are fundamental to psychopathology. In this paper, we consider the implications of this hypothesis for understanding the role of aggression in conduct disorder and conduct problems more generally. Our main proposal is to view conduct problems not only as reflecting dysregulation, but as an adaptation that allows communication with others who are (or are perceived to be) unreliable. Our formulation hinges on two propositions. The first one is to view aggression as a modality of communication adapted to scenarios in which the communicator expects the audience to have low epistemic trust in the communicator. The second idea is to conceptualize the failed "unlearning of aggression" as reflecting a lack of interest in maintaining one's reputation as a communicator, which in turn stems from a lack of epistemic trust in other communicators. In this paper, we discuss these ideas and examine how they may account for the developmental pathways that lead young people to develop conduct problems.

Trajectory of problematic internet use across the college years: The role of peer internet overuse behavior and peer attitude toward internet overuse

INTRODUCTION

College students are at high risk of problematic internet use (PIU). A great amount of research has focused on the PIU among college students. However, little is known about the change pattern of PIU across the college years. Moreover, how peer internet overuse behavior and peer attitude toward internet overuse work together to shape college students' PIU trajectory, and whether such peer contagion effects are equal for all students remain unclear. The present study used latent growth curve model to examine these issues.

METHODS

A total of 2572 Chinese college students (M_age = 18.37, SD = 0.85; 65% girls) participated in the study. They completed questionnaires regarding demographics, peer internet overuse behavior, peer attitude toward internet overuse, and friendship satisfaction at Wave 1, and PIU at Waves 1-4.

RESULTS

After controlling for covariates, the findings revealed that (a) PIU slightly increased before the second year of college and then declined rapidly; (b) both peer internet overuse behavior and peer attitude toward internet overuse were related to the PIU at baseline; however, only peer internet overuse behavior was associated with the change of PIU; and (c) the effect of peer internet overuse behavior on PIU change was moderated by friendship satisfaction and gender.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings emphasized the dynamic and context-sensitive nature of PIU and clarified how peer contagion unfolded with peer internet overuse behavior and peer attitude toward internet overuse. Theoretical implications and application of these findings are discussed.

Genotype-environment correlation by intervention effects underlying middle childhood peer rejection and associations with adolescent marijuana use

Aggressive behavior in middle childhood can contribute to peer rejection, subsequently increasing risk for substance use in adolescence. However, the quality of peer relationships a child experiences can be associated with his or her genetic predisposition, a genotype-environment correlation (rGE). In addition, recent evidence indicates that psychosocial preventive interventions can buffer genetic predispositions for negative behavior. The current study examined associations between polygenic risk for aggression, aggressive behavior, and peer rejection from 8.5 to 10.5 years, and the subsequent influence of peer rejection on marijuana use in adolescence (n = 515; 256 control, 259 intervention). Associations were examined separately in control and intervention groups for children of families who participated in a randomized controlled trial of the family-based preventive intervention, the Family Check-Up . Using time-varying effect modeling (TVEM), polygenic risk for aggression was associated with peer rejection from approximately age 8.50 to 9.50 in the control group but no associations were present in the intervention group. Subsequent analyses showed peer rejection mediated the association between polygenic risk for aggression and adolescent marijuana use in the control group. The role of rGEs in middle childhood peer processes and implications for preventive intervention programs for adolescent substance use are discussed.

E-cigarette use among young adults: A latent class analysis examining co-use and correlates of nicotine vaping

INTRODUCTION

Although a significant proportion of young adults report e-cigarette use (nicotine vaping), little is known about co-use with other substances, including correlates that predict co-use. The current study aimed to identify co-occurring substance use patterns and evaluate multiple correlates in a college student sample.

METHODS

435 participants (21.4 ± 2.9 years; 57% women; 41% Hispanic/Latina/o, 29% Asian-American/Pacific Islander, 17% Caucasian/White, 6% Multiracial, and 5% African-American/Black) from a large, urban university were recruited in-person and completed an online survey in the fall of 2018 and the spring of 2019.

RESULTS

Using latent class analysis (LCA), four substance use patterns were identified: Binge Drinkers (7%); e-cigarette Users (8%); Cannabis Users (14%); and Low Substance Users (71%). The e-cigarette Users class was characterized by moderate or greater use (>5 days of nicotine vaping in past 30-days) as well as past 30-day binge drinking and cannabis use. Higher levels of deviant peer affiliation (aOR = 1.28[1.11-1.47], p < .01), impulsivity-lack of premeditation (aOR = 1.36[1.05-1.78], p < .05), and lower levels of social anxiety (aOR = 0.94[0.88-0.99], p < .05), predicted membership in the e-cigarette Users class.

CONCLUSIONS

The most pervasive co-occurring substance use was observed among the e-cigarette Users class. Young adults reporting moderate or greater levels of nicotine vaping tended to engage in binge drinking and cannabis use, which may ultimately increase risk of deleterious health outcomes. Deviant peer affiliation and impulsivity-lack of premeditation (but not internalizing symptoms) predicted membership in the e-cigarette Users class; consequently, public health efforts may benefit from increased selectivity in targeting young adults for e-cigarette prevention and intervention services.

Longitudinal association between deviant peer affiliation and externalizing behavior problems by types of child maltreatment

BACKGROUND

Previous research has documented that deviant peer affiliation (DP) and externalizing behavior problems (EXT) are highly related and often co-occur. However, the directionality of the association between DP and EXT remains debatable. In addition, few studies have examined the longitudinal effects of child maltreatment types on co-development of DP and EXT overtime. Therefore, this study examined the role of child maltreatment in predicting the co-development of DP and EXT.

METHODS

DP and EXT were assessed at ages 12, 14, and 16. DP was measured using 13 items from the modified version of the Youth Risk Behavior and Monitoring the Future Survey. EXT was measured using the Child Behavior Checklist. Each type of child maltreatment (birth to age 12) was assessed using the CPS substantiated cases.

RESULTS

The results indicated that, on average, DP increased over time, whereas EXT decreased over time. In addition, the initial levels of EXT were associated with the slope of DP. Conditional parallel-process latent growth curve modeling identified that physically abused adolescents had higher initial levels of DP and showed a slower increase in DP, while those who had been emotionally abused were associated with a steeper decrease in EXT.

CONCLUSION

The findings offer several meaningful implications for practice. First, early assessment of and treatment for EXT may be helpful in preventing DP over time. In addition, practitioners could assess each type of maltreatment to tailor preventive interventions for early onset and ongoing development of DP and EXT.

Gender, Maltreatment and Psychiatric Symptoms among Adolescents in Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment

Childhood maltreatment experiences are risk factors for externalizing and internalizing symptoms, as well as substance abuse problems during adolescence. In the present study, we administered structured interviews to 394 adolescents receiving outpatient substance abuse treatment services (280 males; M _years=16.33; SD _years=1.15). K-means cluster analysis was used to examine: (a) the co-patterning of childhood maltreatment experiences and past-year externalizing symptoms (for drug and alcohol abuse and dependence, conduct disorder); (b) between-cluster differences in serious internalizing problems (for past-year anxiety and depression symptoms and current distress); and (c) gender differences in these relations. Both similarities and differences were identified in maltreatment-externalizing behavior patterns and relations with serious internalizing problems across gender groups. Childhood maltreatment and subsequent psychopathology have implications for the adaptation and delivery of substance abuse treatment services to boys and girls to improve their engagement and treatment outcomes.

When Do those "Risk-Taking Adolescents" Take Risks? The Combined Effects of Risk Encouragement by Peers, Mild-to-Borderline Intellectual Disability and Sex

Adolescents with mild to borderline intellectual disability (MBID) show more daily life risk taking than typically developing adolescents. To obtain insight in when these "risk-taking adolescents" especially take risks, we investigated main and interaction effects of (a) MBID, (b) sex, and (c) type of peer influence on risk taking. The Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) was used as a proxy of real-life risk taking. 356 adolescents (12-19 years, 51.7% MBID, 63.4% boys) were randomly assigned to one of three BART peer-influence conditions: solo (no peers), positive risk encouragement (e.g., 'You are cool if you continue') or negative risk encouragement (e.g., 'You are a softy if you do not continue'). The main finding was that boys with MBID took more risks than typically developing boys in the negative risk encouragement condition. Boys with MBID also took more risks in the negative risk encouragement condition compared to the solo condition, whereas typically developing boys did not. There were no such effects for girls. Surprisingly, boys with MBID took less risks in the solo condition than typically developing boys. We conclude that boys with MBID especially show high risk taking when peers belittle or threat with exclusion from the peer group. Prevention and intervention programs should specifically target boys with MBID to teach them to resist negative risk encouragement by peers.

The Salience of Antisocial Personality Disorder for Predicting Substance Use and Violent Behavior: The Moderating Role of Deviant Peers

Deviant peer association and antisocial personality disorder are risk factors for drug use and violent offending. However, there has yet to be research that focuses on how deviant peer association may moderate the impact of antisocial personality disorder on these outcomes. Data from Wave 10 of the Pathways to Desistance dataset were used in analyses. Negative binomial regression was used to estimate the effects of covariates on violent offending. Ordered logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of covariates on substance use outcomes. Results indicated that deviant peer association moderated the impact of antisocial personality disorder on violent offending frequency and marijuana use frequency. The direction of this interaction effect was positive for marijuana use. The direction of this moderation was negative for violent offending, indicating that antisocial personality disorder–diagnosed individuals commit fewer violent offenses at similar levels of deviant peer association as nonafflicted participants.

Does Negative Emotional Reactivity Moderate the Relation between Contextual Cohesion and Adolescent Well-Being?

Although well-being is a chief indicator of positive mental health, much research has neglected to consider individual-specific and contextual factors that may promote this important outcome among youth. To address this gap, we examined whether neighborhood and family social cohesion are associated with well-being among youth varying in negative emotional reactivity, and whether findings were consistent with the diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility hypothesis. Participants were assessed at 3 time points: Time 1 (N = 775, M age = 10.95 ± 0.88 years; 71% male); Time 2 (n = 660, M age = 12.99 ± 0.95 years); and Time 3 (n = 633, M age = 15.50 ± 0.56 years). At Time 1, caregivers reported on family and neighborhood cohesion. Youth reported on their negative emotional reactivity at Time 2 and well-being at Time 3. Negative emotional reactivity moderated the relation between family cohesion and well-being. Among youth higher in negative emotional reactivity, lower family cohesion was associated with lower levels of well-being compared to higher family cohesion. Youth higher and lower in emotional reactivity evidenced similar levels of well-being when exposed to higher family cohesion. The findings thus support the diathesis-stress model, suggesting that less cohesive families may contribute to reduced happiness and well-being, particularly among youth with higher negative emotional reactivity.

Peer Victimization and Aggressive Behavior Among Chinese Adolescents: Delinquent Peer Affiliation as a Mediator and Parental Knowledge as a Moderator

Grounded in social network theory and a risk-buffering model, this study examined whether delinquent peer affiliation mediated the association between peer victimization and adolescent aggressive behavior and whether this mediating process was moderated by parental knowledge. A total of 4,209 Chinese adolescents (48.47% male, M_age = 13.68) completed questionnaires on peer victimization, parental knowledge, delinquent peer affiliation, and adolescent aggressive behavior. Path analyses showed that delinquent peer affiliation partially mediated the relationship between peer victimization and aggressive behavior. Moreover, parental knowledge had a protective effect of buffering the adverse influence of peer victimization on aggressive behavior. This indirect link was stronger for adolescents with low parental knowledge than for those with high parental knowledge. This finding highlights delinquent peer affiliation as a potential link between peer victimization and aggressive behavior and provides an effective intervention for addressing the adverse effects of peer victimization.

Trajectories of Drug Abuse and Addiction Development Among FSU Immigrant Drug Users in Israel

This qualitative study explores the trajectories of drug abuse and addiction development among former Soviet Union (FSU) immigrant users. It is based on in-depth interviews with 19 Russian-speaking recovering addict counselors employed in Israeli addiction treatment centers. The interview analysis yielded two main trajectories: one of abuse deterioration and the other of abuse initiation in the context of coping with immigration. The core issue that characterizes both trajectories is the immigrant users’ sense of loneliness. Participation in treatment appears as a path for regaining their sense of belonging. Implications for prevention and treatment based on the interviewees’ reflections, as well as on extant literature, are discussed.