title: A Developmental Perspective on Peer Rejection, Deviant Peer Affiliation, and Conduct Problems Among Youth.
abstract: Peer rejection and deviant peer affiliation are linked consistently to the development and maintenance of conduct problems. Two proposed models may account for longitudinal relations among these peer processes and conduct problems: the (a) sequential mediation model, in which peer rejection in childhood and deviant peer affiliation in adolescence mediate the link between early externalizing behaviors and more serious adolescent conduct problems; and (b) parallel process model, in which peer rejection and deviant peer affiliation are considered independent processes that operate simultaneously to increment risk for conduct problems. In this review, we evaluate theoretical models and evidence for associations among conduct problems and (a) peer rejection and (b) deviant peer affiliation. We then consider support for the sequential mediation and parallel process models. Next, we propose an integrated model incorporating both the sequential mediation and parallel process models. Future research directions and implications for prevention and intervention efforts are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Adolescent Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 East Chicago Avenue, Box 10B, Chicago, IL, 60611-2605, USA. DiChen@luriechildrens.org.|Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA. DiChen@luriechildrens.org.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah A G
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Drabick
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Darcy E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Burgers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010379:Peer Group; D000066553:Problem Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012929:Psychological Distance; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Childhood conduct problems; Deviant peer affiliation; Peer rejection