Peer relations, adolescent behavior, and public health research and practice.
Peer relations are central to adolescent life and, therefore, are crucial to understanding adolescents' engagement in various behaviors. In recent years, public health research has increasingly devoted attention to the implications of peer relations for the kinds of adolescent behaviors that have a direct impact on health. This article advocates for a continuation of this trend. With this aim, we highlight key themes in the rich literature on the general developmental significance of adolescent-peer relations, provide an overview of how these themes have been incorporated into public health research and practice, and suggest future avenues for peer-focused public health research that can inform adolescent health promotion in the United States.
Crosnoe
Robert
R
Department of Sociology and Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, A1700 Austin, TX 78712, USA. crosnoe@mail.la.utexas.edu
McNeely
Clea
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D010379:Peer Group; D011634:Public Health / Q000639:trends*; D012106:Research