The co-evolution of early adolescent friendship networks, school involvement, and delinquent behaviors

This study examined selection and influence processes related to friends' school involvement and delinquent behaviors during adolescence. We applied models of network-behavioral dynamics (Snijders, Steglich, and Schweinberger, 2007) to a five-year longitudinal sample of Swedish youth (n = 445). Results indicate youth selectively nominated : a) friends who reciprocated their nomination; b) who were friends of those whom they nominated; c) same-sex schoolmates; and d) peer affiliates with similar levels of school involvement and engagement in delinquent behaviors. Influence effects emerged such that youth tended to adopt the delinquent behaviors of peer affiliates. Furthermore, school involvement predicted subsequent changes in delinquent behaviors and delinquency predicted subsequent changes in school involvement.