Stability and variability of adolescents' affiliation with delinquent friends: Predictors and consequences

The effects of stability versus change in adolescents' affiliation with del inquent or non-delinguent friends over a two-year period (T1-T2) on delinqu ent behavior one year later (T3) were examined. In addition, T1 predictors of stability and change in the affiliation with delinquent or nondelinquent friends from TI to T2 were assessed Participants were 152 adolescents (77 girls, mean age 12.1 years at TI). Friends' delinquent behavior was assesse d through friends' self-reports. The TI predictor variables included adoles cents' own delinquent behavior: attitude toward delinquent behavior, and pa rental monitoring. Adolescents' friendship affiliations at T2, but not at T I, predicted delinquent behavior at T3, suggesting a recency effect of frie ndship affiliation. Attitude toward delinquent behavior at T1 was the main predictor of stability versus change in adolescents' affiliation with delin quent or nondeliquent friends from TI to T2.