Publication details
Problem behaviour in adolescence: gains and loses in peer relations
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2008 |
| Type | R&D Presentation |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Problem behaviour in adolescence relates to relationships quality and vice versa. Problem behaviour theory, formulated by R. Jessor, suppose that problem behaviour is a syndrome consistently correlated also with variables describing peer relationships quality. Especially in adolescence, problem behaviour (or risky behaviour) also plays a specific role in individual development: problem behaviour in context of peer groups is a way of socialization and concurrently, different forms of problem behaviour are maladaptive ways to cope with a not very easy going socialization. We test hypotheses that there are certain forms of problem behaviour followed by gains in perceived peer relationships because of its social essence in adolescence especially smoking and alcohol abuse. On the other hand, aggressive behaviour and vandalism leads to social isolation. Using two waves of a longitudinal sample (ELSPAC, Czech part of sample, N=400; age 13 and 15 years), we identified four distinct profiles of problem behaviour in cluster analysis. Support for our hypotheses is evident: adolescent with high score in alcohol, nicotine and marihuana abuse refer higher score of trust in peer relationships than all other clusters (non risk takers included); adolescents referring higher scores of aggressive behaviour and vandalism feel alienated and disliked by others in self report measures. These effects are significant in both waves, but effect sizes are larger at the age of 15 years. These results challenge the presumption of problem behaviour as a consistent syndrome and support hypotheses that adolescents use problem behaviour as their (sometimes questionable) way through socialization |
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