The peer influence paradox: Friendship quality and deviancy training within male adolescent friendships

This longitudinal analysis of Oregon Youth Study boys tested the hypothesis that primary influence processes in adolescent friendships are social inte ractional and that the quality of the friendship has little to do with the development of delinquent behavior. Results suggest that boys identified as antisocial in childhood showed poor-quality friendships at age 13-14 and b oys who were highly delinquent at age 13-14 also reported low levels of rel ationship quality. In a multivariate analysis, friendship quality was not a factor in predicting changes in delinquent behavior from ages 13-14 throug h 15-16. However, it appears that boys with poor-quality friendships and a high level of delinquency at age 13-14 escalated in delinquent behavior ove r the 2-year follow-up period. Findings are discussed with respect to theor y regarding the socializing influence of peers.