title: Academic Functioning and Peer Influences: A Short-Term Longitudinal Study of Network-Behavior Dynamics in Middle Adolescence.
abstract: In this study, the associations between peer effects and academic functioning in middle adolescence (N = 342; 14-15 years old; 48% male) were investigated longitudinally. Similarity in achievement (grade point averages) and unexplained absences (truancy) was explained by both peer selection and peer influence, net of acceptance, and connectedness. Friendships were formed and maintained when adolescents had low levels of achievement or high levels of truancy. Friends influenced one another to increase rather than decrease in achievement and truancy. Moreover, friends' popularity moderated peer influences in truancy in reciprocal friendships but not in unilateral friendships, whereas friends' acceptance moderated peer influences in achievement in both unilateral and reciprocal friendships. The findings illustrate the dynamic interplay between peer effects and academic functioning.
authors: University of Groningen.
authors: J Ashwin
authors: JA
authors: Rambaran
authors: Occidental College.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Hopmeyer
authors: University of Southern California.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Schwartz
authors: University of Groningen.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Steglich
authors: University of Michigan.
authors: Daryaneh
authors: D
authors: Badaly
authors: University of Groningen.
authors: René
authors: R
authors: Veenstra
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D000067074:Peer Influence; D012928:Social Desirability