Peer status beyond adolescence: Types and behavioral associations

Britta Ruschoff; Jan Kornelis Dijkstra; René Veenstra; Siegwart Lindenberg

doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.08.013

Peer status beyond adolescence: Types and behavioral associations

J Adolesc. 2015 Dec:45:1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.08.013. Epub 2015 Sep 5.

Authors

Britta Ruschoff¹, Jan Kornelis Dijkstra¹, René Veenstra¹, Siegwart Lindenberg²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Sociology, University of Groningen, Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS), The Netherlands.
² Department of Sociology, University of Groningen, Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS), The Netherlands; Tilburg Institute for Behavioral Economics Research/TIBER, Tilburg University, The Netherlands.

PMID: 26349449
DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.08.013

Abstract

This study investigates the types and behavioral associations of peer status in school-bound young adults in the Netherlands. We argue that adolescent peer popularity and its link with aggressive and norm-breaking behavior result from adolescents' desire to create an image of maturity among their peers. We expect that in young adults who are approaching working life, peer status is defined by affective measures of status and prosociality rather than adverse behaviors. Analyses revealed a three cluster solution of (1) liked, (2) liked-popular and (3) neutral members of the peer group, showing that status is primarily defined by being well-liked, though popularity remains relevant. Status was primarily associated with prosocial behavior, especially for females. Peer status in young males remained associated with overt aggressive behavior.

Keywords: Aggression; Maturity gap; Norm-breaking behavior; Peer status; Prosocial behavior; Young adulthood.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
Aggression / psychology
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations*
Male
Netherlands
Peer Group*
Surveys and Questionnaires