title: Development of adolescents' peer crowd identification in relation to changes in problem behaviors.
abstract: This 5-wave longitudinal study, which included 1,313 Dutch adolescents, examined the development of peer crowd identification in relation to changes in problem behaviors. Adolescents from 2 age cohorts annually reported their identification with 7 peer crowds and their levels of internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors. Univariate latent growth curve analyses revealed declines (i.e., "Hip Hoppers" and "Metal Heads") or declines followed by stabilization (i.e., "Nonconformists") in identification with nonconventional crowds and increases (i.e., "Elites" and "Brains") or declines followed by stabilization (i.e., "Normals" and "Jocks") in identification with conventional crowds. Multivariate latent growth curve analyses indicated that stronger and more persistent identifications with nonconventional crowds were generally associated with more problem behaviors throughout adolescence. In contrast, stronger and more persistent identifications with conventional crowds were generally associated with fewer problem behaviors throughout adolescence with the notable exception of Brains, who showed a mixed pattern. Though characterized by fewer externalizing problems, this group did report more anxiety problems. These findings and their implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. S.M.Doornwaard@uu.nl
authors.forename: Suzan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Doornwaard
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Branje
authors.forename: Wim H J
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Meeus
authors.forename: Tom F M
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: ter Bogt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000367:Age Factors; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000523:psychology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010379:Peer Group; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012933:Social Identification