title: Peer Status Among Incarcerated Female Offenders: Associations With Social Behavior and Adjustment.
abstract: Peers are a powerful socializing force, especially during adolescence. Whether peer status holds the same meaning, correlates, and consequences for female offenders remains unknown. Using a peer nomination technique in a sample of incarcerated females (N= 86, age 15-24 years), our study is the first to examine the association between peer status and psychopathology in a correctional facility. Results indicated that a key indicator of likeability was prosocial behavior; popularity was related to leadership; and social impact was associated with aggression. Popularity might serve as a buffer against, and social impact as a risk factor for, psychosocial problems. Findings shed light on peer status as a mechanism underpinning female offenders' problem behaviors and an entry point for targeted interventions.
authors.affiliation: SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, BS187, Center for Education and Human Services, Policy Division, Menlo Park, CA, 94025-3493.
authors.forename: Asha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goldweber
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology & Social Behavior and Education, 4308 Social and Behavioral Science Gateway, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-7050.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cauffman
authors.affiliation: Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Antonius H N
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Cillessen