Showing papers on "Peer group published in 2011"

Handbook of Peer Interactions, Relationships, and Groups

Abstract: Part I. Introduction: History and Theory. W.W. Hartup, Critical Issues and Theoretical Viewpoints. G.W. Ladd, Trends, Travails, and Turning Points in Early Research on Children's Peer Relationships: Legacies and Lessons for Our Time? Part II. Social Behaviors, Interactions, Relationships, and Groups: What Should be Measured, How, and Why? R.A. Fabes, C.L. Martin, L.D. Hanish, Children's Behaviors and Interactions with Peers. T.J. Berndt, M.A. McCandless, Methods for Investigating Children's Relationships with Friends. A.H.N. Cillessen, Sociometric Methods. T.A. Kindermann, S.D. Gest, Assessment of the Peer Group: Identifying Naturally Occurring Social Networks and Capturing Their Effects. Part III. Infancy and Early Childhood. D.F. Hay, M. Caplan, A. Nash, The Beginnings of Peer Relations. R.J. Coplan, K.A. Arbeau, Peer Interactions and Play in Early Childhood. L. Rose-Krasnor, S. Denham, Social-Emotional Competence in Early Childhood. C. Howes, Friendship in Early Childhood. B.E. Vaughn, A.J. Santos, Structural Descriptions of Social Transactions among Young Children: Affiliation and Dominance in Preschool Groups. Part IV. Middle Childhood and Early Adolescence. W.M. Bukowski, C. Motzoi, F. Meyer, Friendship as Process, Function, and Outcome. S.R. Asher, K.L. McDonald, The Behavioral Basis of Acceptance, Rejection, and Perceived Popularity. M. Killen, A. Rutland, N.S. Jampol, Social Exclusion in Childhood and Adolescence. B. Laursen, G. Pursell, Conflict in Peer Relationships. N.R. Crick, D. Murray-Close, P.E.L. Marks, N. Mohajeri-Nelson, Aggression and Peer Relationships in School-Age Children: Relational and Physical Aggression in Group and Dyadic Contexts. K.H. Rubin, J.C. Bowker, A.E. Kennedy, Avoiding and Withdrawing from the Peer Group. C. Salmivalli, K. Peets, Bullies, Victims, and Bully-Victim Relationships in Middle Childhood and Early Adolescence. W. Furman, W.A. Collins, Adolescent Romantic Relationships and Experiences. B. Brown, E.L. Dietz, Informal Peer Groups in Middle Childhood and Adolescence. Part V. Distal Correlates of Children's Peer Relationships. A.J. Rose, R.L. Smith, Sex Differences in Peer Relationships. S. Graham, A.Z. Taylor, A.Y. Ho, Race and Ethnicity in Peer Relations Research. H. Stattin, M. Kerr, Neighborhood Contexts of Peer Relationships and Groups. X. Chen, J. Chung, C. Hsiao, Peer Interactions and Relationships from a Cross-Cultural Perspective. Part VI. Proximal Correlates of Children's Social Skills and Peer Relationships. M. Brendgen, M. Boivin, Genetic Factors in Children's Peer Relations. N. Eisenberg, J. Vaughan, C. Hofer, Temperament, Self-Regulation, and Peer Social Competence. C. Booth-LaForce, K.A. Kerns, Child-Parent Attachment Relationships, Peer Relationships, and Peer-Group Functioning. H. Ross, N. Howe, Family Influences on Children's Peer Relationships. Part VII. Childhood Peer Experiences and Later Adjustment. K.R. Wentzel, Peers and Academic Functioning at School. M.J. Prinstein, D. Rancourt, J.D. Guerry, C.B. Browne, Peer Reputations and Psychological Adjustment. F. Vitaro, M. Boivin, W.M. Bukowski, The Role of Friendship in Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Development. Part VIII. Translation and Policy. T.J. Dishion, T.F. Piehler, Deviant by Design: Peer Contagion in Development, Interventions, and Schools. K.L. Bierman, C.J. Powers, Social Skills Training to Improve Peer Relations.

A review of the literature on peer support in mental health services

Abstract: Background. Although mutual support and self-help groups based on shared experience play a large part in recovery, the employment of peer support workers (PSWs) in mental health services is a recen...

Peer Contagion in Child and Adolescent Social and Emotional Development

Abstract: In this article, we examine the construct of peer contagion in childhood and adolescence and review studies of child and adolescent development that have identified peer contagion influences. Evidence suggests that children's interactions with peers are tied to increases in aggression in early and middle childhood and amplification of problem behaviors such as drug use, delinquency, and violence in early to late adolescence. Deviancy training is one mechanism that accounts for peer contagion effects on problem behaviors from age 5 through adolescence. In addition, we discuss peer contagion relevant to depression in adolescence, and corumination as an interactive process that may account for these effects. Social network analyses suggest that peer contagion underlies the influence of friendship on obesity, unhealthy body images, and expectations. Literature is reviewed that suggests how peer contagion effects can undermine the goals of public education from elementary school through college and impair the goals of juvenile corrections systems. In particular, programs that "select" adolescents at risk for aggregated preventive interventions are particularly vulnerable to peer contagion effects. It appears that a history of peer rejection is a vulnerability factor for influence by peers, and adult monitoring, supervision, positive parenting, structure, and self-regulation serve as protective factors.

Prospective linkages between peer victimization and externalizing problems in children: A meta-analysis

Abstract: Previous meta-analytic research has shown both concurrent and prospective linkages between peer victimization and internalizing problems in youth. However, the linkages between peer victimization and externalizing problems over time have not been systematically examined, and it is therefore unknown if externalizing problems are antecedents of victimization, consequences of victimization, both, or neither. This study provides a meta-analysis of 14 longitudinal studies examining prospective linkages between peer victimization and externalizing problems (n = 7,821). Two prospective paths were examined: the extent to which peer victimization at baseline predicts future residualized changes in externalizing problems, as well as the extent to which externalizing problems at baseline predict future residualized changes in peer victimization. Results revealed significant associations between peer victimization and subsequent residualized changes in externalizing problems, as well as significant associations between externalizing problems and subsequent residualized changes in peer victimization. Hence, externalizing problems function as both antecedents and consequences of peer victimization.

Social Networks and Friendships at School: Comparing Children With and Without ASD

Abstract: Self, peer and teacher reports of social relationships were examined for 60 high-functioning children with ASD. Compared to a matched sample of typical children in the same classroom, children with ASD were more often on the periphery of their social networks, reported poorer quality friendships and had fewer reciprocal friendships. On the playground, children with ASD were mostly unengaged but playground engagement was not associated with peer, self, or teacher reports of social behavior. Twenty percent of children with ASD had a reciprocated friendship and also high social network status. Thus, while the majority of high functioning children with ASD struggle with peer relationships in general education classrooms, a small percentage of them appear to have social success.

Women's perceptions and experiences of breastfeeding support: A metasynthesis

Abstract: Background: Both peer and professional support have been identified as important to the success of breastfeeding. The aim of this metasynthesis was to examine women’s perceptions and experiences of breastfeeding support, either professional or peer, in order to illuminate the components of support that they deem ‘supportive’. Methods: The metasynthesis included studies of both formal or ‘created’ peer and professional support for breastfeeding women but excluded studies of family or informal support. Qualitative studies were included as well as large scale surveys if they reported the analysis of qualitative data gathered through open ended responses. Primiparous and multiparous women who initiated breastfeeding were included. Only studies published in English, in peer reviewed journals and undertaken between 1990 and December 2007 were included. After assessment for relevance and quality, 31 studies were included in the metasynthesis. Meta-ethnographic methods were used to identify categories and themes. Results: The metasynthesis resulted in four categories comprising a total of 20 themes. The synthesis indicates that support for breastfeeding occurs along a continuum from authentic presence at one end, perceived as effective support, to disconnected encounters at the other, perceived as ineffective or even discouraging and counterproductive. Second, the synthesis identified a facilitative approach, versus a reductionist approach as contrasting styles of support women experienced as helpful or unhelpful. Conclusions: The findings of this metasynthesis emphasise the importance of person-centred communication skills and of relationships in supporting a woman to breastfeed. Organisational systems and services that facilitate continuity of care/r, for example continuity of midwifery care or peer support models, are more likely to facilitate an authentic presence.

Life Satisfaction in Early Adolescence: Personal, Neighborhood, School, Family, and Peer Influences

Abstract: Drawing from an ecological assets framework as well as research and theory on positive youth development, this study examined the relationship of early adolescents’ satisfaction with life to trait optimism and assets representing the social contexts in which early adolescents spend most of their time. Self-reports of satisfaction with life, optimism, and ecological assets in the school (school connectedness), neighborhood (perceived neighborhood support), family (perceived parental support), and peer group (positive peer relationships) were assessed in a sample of 1,402 4th to 7th graders (47% female) from 25 public elementary schools. Multilevel modeling (MLM) was conducted to analyze the variability in life satisfaction both at the individual and the school level. As hypothesized, adding optimism and the dimensions representing the ecology of early adolescence to the model significantly reduced the variability in life satisfaction at both levels of analysis. Both personal (optimism) and all of the ecological assets significantly and positively predicted early adolescents’ life satisfaction. The results suggest the theoretical and practical utility of an assets approach for understanding life satisfaction in early adolescence.

Providing developmentally appropriate psychosocial care to adolescent and young adult cancer survivors

Abstract: To deliver developmentally appropriate psychosocial care, the key developmental tasks facing adolescents and young adults (AYA) need to be taken into consideration. These include establishing autonomy from parents; a personal set of values and identity; strong peer relationships, including intimate and sexual relationships; and obtaining adequate preparation to join the workforce. To minimize the amount of disruption caused by the cancer experience and to maximize the health-related quality of life of AYA patients, young individuals with cancer need opportunities to participate as much as possible in typical AYA activities and to master the developmental tasks of this life stage. Promoting a sense of normalcy is essential. To achieve this, the health care environment must be flexible and recognize the important role of peers. Informational and practical supports also are necessary for AYA to stay on track developmentally in the context of coping with cancer. Critical elements of effective AYA psychosocial services should include access to AYA-specific information and support resources, fertility and sexuality counseling, programs to maximize academic and vocational functioning, and financial support.

Conformity to peer pressure in preschool children

Abstract: Both adults and adolescents often conform their behavior and opinions to peer groups, even when they themselves know better. The current study investigated this phenomenon in 24 groups of 4 children between 4;2 and 4;9 years of age. Children often made their judgments conform to those of 3 peers, who had made obviously erroneous but unanimous public judgments right before them. A follow-up study with 18 groups of 4 children between 4;0 and 4;6 years of age revealed that children did not change their “real” judgment of the situation, but only their public expression of it. Preschool children are subject to peer pressure, indicating sensitivity to peers as a primary social reference group already during the preschool years.

Children and Social Exclusion: Morality, Prejudice, and Group Identity

Abstract: Children and Social Exclusion: Morality, Prejudice, and Group Identity explores the origins of prejudice and the emergence of morality to explain why children include some and exclude others. • Formulates an original theory about childrens experiences with exclusion and how they understand the world of discrimination based on group membership • Brings together Social Domain Theory and Social IdentityTheory to explain how children view exclusion that often results in prejudice, and inclusion that reflects social justice and morality • Presents new research data consisting of in–depth interviews from childhood to late adolescence, observational findings with peer groups, and experimental paradigms that test how children understand group dynamics and social norms, and show either group bias or morality • Illustrates data with direct quotes from children along withdiagrams depicting their social understanding • Presents new insights about the origins of prejudice and groupbias, as well as morality and fairness, drawn from extensive original data

Emotional dysregulation and interpersonal difficulties as risk factors for nonsuicidal self-injury in adolescent girls.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine a model of factors that place psychiatrically hospitalized girls at risk for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The role of familial and peer interpersonal difficulties, as well as emotional dysregulation, were examined in relationship to NSSI behaviors. Participants were 99 adolescent girls (83.2% Caucasian; M age = 16.08) admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Structural equation modeling indicated the primacy of emotional dysregulation as an underlying process placing adolescents at risk for NSSI and mediating the influence of interpersonal problems through the family and peer domains. When family and peer relationships were characterized by conflict and lack of support for managing emotions, adolescents reported more dysregulated emotion processes. Family relational problems were directly and indirectly related to NSSI through emotional dysregulation. The indirect processes of peer relational problems, through emotional dysregulation, were significantly associated with NSSI frequency and severity. The findings suggest that the process by which interpersonal difficulties contribute to NSSI is complex, and is at least partially dependent on the nature of the interpersonal problems and emotion processes.

Combining Peer Discussion with Instructor Explanation Increases Student Learning from In-Class Concept Questions

Abstract: Use of in-class concept questions with clickers can transform an instructor-centered "transmissionist" environment to a more learner-centered constructivist classroom. To compare the effectiveness of three different approaches using clickers, pairs of similar questions were used to monitor student understanding in majors' and nonmajors' genetics courses. After answering the first question individually, students participated in peer discussion only, listened to an instructor explanation only, or engaged in peer discussion followed by instructor explanation, before answering a second question individually. Our results show that the combination of peer discussion followed by instructor explanation improved average student performance substantially when compared with either alone. When gains in learning were analyzed for three ability groups of students (weak, medium, and strong, based on overall clicker performance), all groups benefited most from the combination approach, suggesting that peer discussion and instructor explanation are synergistic in helping students. However, this analysis also revealed that, for the nonmajors, the gains of weak performers using the combination approach were only slightly better than their gains using instructor explanation alone. In contrast, the strong performers in both courses were not helped by the instructor-only approach, emphasizing the importance of peer discussion, even among top-performing students.

Assessing the forms and functions of aggression using self-report: factor structure and invariance of the Peer Conflict Scale in youths.

Abstract: This study examined the structure of a self-report measure of the forms and functions of aggression in 855 adolescents (582 boys, 266 girls) aged 12 to 19 years recruited from high school, detained, and residential settings. The Peer Conflict Scale (PCS) is a 40-item measure that was developed to improve upon existing measures and provide an efficient, reliable, and valid assessment of four dimensions of aggression (i.e., reactive overt, reactive relational, proactive overt, and proactive relational) in youths. Confirmatory factor analyses showed that a 4-factor model represented a satisfactory solution for the data. The factor structure fit well for both boys and girls and across high school, detained, and residential samples. Internal consistency estimates were good for the 4 factors, and they showed expected associations with externalizing variables (i.e., arrest history, callous-unemotional traits, and delinquency). Reactive and proactive subtypes showed unique associations consistent with previous literature. Implications for the use of the PCS to assess aggression and inform intervention decisions in diverse samples of youths are discussed.

Integrating etiological models of social anxiety and depression in youth: Evidence for a cumulative interpersonal risk model.

Abstract: Models of social anxiety and depression in youth have been developed separately, and they contain similar etiological influences. Given the high comorbidity of social anxiety and depression, we examine whether the posited etiological constructs are a correlate of, or a risk factor for, social anxiety and/or depression at the symptom level and the diagnostic level. We find core risk factors of temperament, genetics, and parent psychopathology (i.e., depression and anxiety) are neither necessary nor sufficient for the development of social anxiety and/or depression. Instead, aspects of children’s relationships with parents and/or peers either mediates (i.e., explains) or moderates (i.e., interacts with) these core risks being related to social anxiety and/or depression. We then examine various parent- and peer-related constructs contained in the separate models of social anxiety and depression (i.e., parent–child attachment, parenting, social skill deficits, peer acceptance and rejection, peer victimization, friendships, and loneliness). Throughout our review, we report evidence for a Cumulative Interpersonal Risk model that incorporates both core risk factors and specific interpersonal risk factors. Most studies fail to consider comorbidity, thus little is known about the specificity of these various constructs to depression and/or social anxiety. However, we identify shared, differential, and cumulative risks, correlates, consequences, and protective factors. We then put forth demonstrated pathways for the development of depression, social anxiety, and their comorbidity. Implications for understanding comorbidity are highlighted throughout, as are theoretical and research directions for developing and refining models of social anxiety, depression, and their comorbidity. Prevention and treatment implications are also noted.

Peer-Led Diabetes Education Programs in High-Risk Mexican Americans Improve Glycemic Control Compared With Standard Approaches: A Project Dulce promotora randomized trial

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of a culturally sensitive diabetes self-management education program that uses a low-cost, peer-educator format (Project Dulce) on glucose control and metabolic parameters in low-income Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 207 Mexican-American patients recruited from federally funded community health centers in San Diego County with HbA1c >8% were randomly assigned to the Project Dulce peer intervention or continuation of standard diabetes care. The primary outcome of interest was HbA1c. RESULTS The majority of subjects were born in Mexico, were female, were middle-aged, had less than an eighth-grade education, and had high baseline HbA1c levels. Significant time-by-group interaction effects for HbA1c (P = 0.02) and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.04) indicated that the Project Dulce group exhibited greater improvement (i.e., decreases) across time. Within-group analyses showed that the intervention group exhibited significant improvements from baseline to month 4 in absolute levels of HbA1c (−1.7%, P = 0.001) and HDL cholesterol (+1.4 mg/dL, P = 0.01) and from baseline to month 10 in absolute levels of HbA1c (−1.5%, P = 0.01), total cholesterol (−7.2 mg/dL, P = 0.04), HDL cholesterol (+1.6 mg/dL, P = 0.01), and LDL cholesterol (−8.1 mg/dL, P = 0.02). No significant changes were noted in the control group. CONCLUSIONS This randomized trial, using the Project Dulce model of culturally sensitive, peer-led education, demonstrates improvement in glucose and metabolic control and suggests that this low-cost approach to self-management education for high-risk diabetic populations is effective.

Peer interventions to promote health: Conceptual considerations.

Abstract: Peers have intervened to promote health since ancient times, yet few attempts have been made to describe theoretically their role and their interventions. After a brief overview of the history and variety of peer-based health interventions, a 4-part definition of peer interveners is presented here with a consideration of the dimensions of their involvement in health promotion. Then, a 2-step process is proposed as a means of conceptualizing peer interventions to promote health. Step 1 involves establishing a theoretical framework for the intervention’s main focus (i.e., education, social support, social norms, self-efficacy, and patient advocacy), and Step 2 involves identifying a theory that justifies the use of peers and might explain their impact. As examples, the following might be referred to: theoretical perspectives from the mutual support group and self-help literature, social cognitive and social learning theories, the social support literature, social comparison theory, social network approaches, and empowerment models.

The Contribution of Extracurricular Activities to Adolescent Friendships: New Insights through Social Network Analysis

Abstract: Extracurricular activities are settings that are theorized to help adolescents maintain existing friendships and develop new friendships. The overarching goal of the current investigation was to examine whether coparticipating in school-based extracurricular activities supported adolescents' school-based friendships. We used social network methods and data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to examine whether dyadic friendship ties were more likely to exist among activity coparticipants while controlling for alternative friendship processes, namely dyadic homophily (e.g., demographic and behavioral similarities) and network-level processes (e.g., triadic closure). Results provide strong evidence that activities were associated with current friendships and promoted the formation of new friendships. These associations varied based on school level (i.e., middle vs. high school) and activity type (i.e., sports, academic, arts). Results of this study provide new insight into the complex relations between activities and friendship that can inform theories of their developmental outcomes.

Are peer interventions for HIV efficacious? A systematic review.

Abstract: Behavioral interventions to prevent HIV or assist HIV-positive persons often incorporate peers, yet empirical support for their efficacy is only recently accumulating. We describe the results of a review of the global literature, identifying 117 studies evaluating the efficacy of peer-based interventions in the area of HIV/AIDS. About half were conducted in the developing world and half in Western nations. Across a range of populations and intervention modalities, the majority of studies provided some support for peer interventions according to outcome indicators in the domains of sexual risk behavior, attitudes and cognitions, HIV knowledge, and substance use. However, outcomes assessed using biomarkers and other non-self-report variables were less likely to indicate intervention efficacy. Overall, findings suggest that we can have some confidence in peer interventions, yet more data are needed demonstrating an effect in the most rigorous study designs and with outcomes that are not potentially affected by respondent bias.

Predictors of student defenders of peer aggression victims: Empathy and social cognitive factors

Abstract: Despite wide recognition of the important role of student bystanders in influencing peer aggression in schools, little is currently known about what influences students to intervene in defense of peer aggression victims. This longitudinal study involving 1,167 primarily white adolescents (aged 12--15 years, 613 females) investigated the role of social cognitive factors and empathy as predictors of students defending victims of peer aggression. High levels of collective efficacy beliefs in the ability of students and teachers to work together to stop peer aggression were associated with higher frequency of defending behavior over time. For girls, empathy was also associated with defending over time.

Peer relations and the understanding of faux pas: longitudinal evidence for bidirectional associations.

Abstract: Research connecting childrens understanding of mental states to their peer relations at school remains scarce. Previous work by the authors demonstrated that childrens understanding of mental states in the context of a faux pasa social blunder involving unintentional insult is associated with concurrent peer rejection. The present report describes a longitudinal follow-up investigation of 210 children from the original sample, aged 56 or 89 years at Time 1. The results support a bidirectional model suggesting that peer rejection may impair the acquisition of faux pas understanding, and also that, among older children, difficulties in understanding faux pas predict increased peer rejection. These findings highlight the important and complex associations between social understanding and peer relations during childhood