Peer Affiliation and School-based Problem Behavior During Adolescence: A Cross-sectional Evaluation

Abstract

Peer affiliation is an important factor in the behavioral trajectories of adolescents, and the effect of peer dynamics on problem behavior is especially salient in the school setting. In this paper, the author presents a cross-sectional evaluation of the link between deviant peer affiliation and school-based problem behavior for middle school students within and across gender and disability subgroups. Findings demonstrate an association between deviant peer affiliation and school-based problem behavior across student groups and highlight potential differences in findings by type of behavior, gender, and disability status. The author discusses implications of findings and recommends directions for future research.