title: The role of feared possible selves in the relationship between peer influence and delinquency.
abstract: This study explores the impact of a feared delinquent possible self on the relationship between exposure to negative peer behaviors and violent and non-violent self-reported delinquency. Previous research strongly supports that deviant peers influence adolescents' delinquent behavior. Yet, few studies have explored intrapersonal factors that may moderate this influence. Possible selves include what one hopes, expects and fears becoming and are believed to motivate behavior. Thus, it was hypothesized that adolescents who were exposed to deviant peers and also feared engaging in delinquency would be more likely to self-report delinquency. Seventh grade students (n = 176) identified feared possible selves in the future, their exposure to negative peer behavior and self-reported violent and non-violent delinquent behavior. Findings suggest that exposure to negative peer behavior is associated with self-reported delinquent behavior. For violent behavior, possessing a feared delinquent possible self moderates this relationship. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, 5057 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI, 48202, USA. Electronic address: ed1051@wayne.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pierce
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA. Electronic address: carissaj@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Carissa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA; Division of Health Promotion and Risk Reduction, University of Michigan School of Nursing, 400 North Ingalls Building, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5482, USA. Electronic address: sastodda@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Stoddard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D010379:Peer Group; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence
keywords: Adolescence; Delinquency; Possible selves; Violence