OBJECTIVE: In contrast to prior work, recent theory suggests that high, not low, levels of adolescent peer popularity may be associated with health risk behavior. This study examined (a) whether popularity may be uniquely associated with cigarette use, marijuana use, and sexual risk behavior, beyond the predictive effects of aggression; (b) whether the longitudinal association between popularity and health risk behavior may be curvilinear; and (c) gender moderation. METHODS: A total of 336 adolescents, initially in 10-11th grades, reported cigarette use, marijuana use, and number of sexual intercourse partners at two time points 18 months apart. Sociometric peer nominations were used to examine popularity and aggression. RESULTS: Longitudinal quadratic effects and gender moderation suggest that both high and low levels of popularity predict some, but not all, health risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: New theoretical models can be useful for understanding the complex manner in which health risk behaviors may be reinforced within the peer context.
OBJECTIVE: In contrast to prior work, recent theory suggests that high, not low, levels of adolescent peer popularity may be associated with health risk behavior. This study examined (a) whether popularity may be uniquely associated with cigarette use, marijuana use, and sexual risk behavior, beyond the predictive effects of aggression; (b) whether the longitudinal association between popularity and health risk behavior may be curvilinear; and (c) gender moderation. METHODS: A total of 336 adolescents, initially in 10-11th grades, reported cigarette use, marijuana use, and number of sexual intercourse partners at two time points 18 months apart. Sociometric peer nominations were used to examine popularity and aggression. RESULTS: Longitudinal quadratic effects and gender moderation suggest that both high and low levels of popularity predict some, but not all, health risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: New theoretical models can be useful for understanding the complex manner in which health risk behaviors may be reinforced within the peer context.
Authors: Danice K Eaton; Laura Kann; Steve Kinchen; Shari Shanklin; James Ross; Joseph Hawkins; William A Harris; Richard Lowry; Tim McManus; David Chyen; Connie Lim; Lisa Whittle; Nancy D Brener; Howell Wechsler Journal: MMWR Surveill Summ Date: 2010-06-04
Authors: L Kann; S A Kinchen; B I Williams; J G Ross; R Lowry; C V Hill; J A Grunbaum; P S Blumson; J L Collins; L J Kolbe Journal: MMWR CDC Surveill Summ Date: 1998-08-14
Authors: Sarah W Helms; Sophia Choukas-Bradley; Laura Widman; Matteo Giletta; Geoffrey L Cohen; Mitchell J Prinstein Journal: Dev Psychol Date: 2014-11-03
Authors: Caitlin B Murray; Christina M Amaro; Katie A Devine; Alexandra M Psihogios; Lexa K Murphy; Grayson N Holmbeck Journal: J Pediatr Psychol Date: 2014-05-26
Authors: Caitlin B Murray; Jaclyn M Lennon; Katie A Devine; Grayson N Holmbeck; Kimberly Klages; Lauren M Potthoff Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2014-02-03 Impact factor: 4.267