Peer Selection and Socialization in Adolescent Depression: The Role of School Transitions

• NCJ Number: 238183
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolesccence Volume: 41 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2012 Pages: 320-332
• Author(s): Natalie P. Goodwin; Sylvie Mrug; Casey Borch; Antonius H.N. Cillessen
• Date Published: March 2012
• Length: 13 pages
• Grant Number(s): K01DA024700
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institutes of Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the relationships between depressive symptoms of adolescents and their friends, investigating the role of school transitions in peer selection and influence of depressive systems.

Abstract

Previous studies have indicated homophily in depressive symptoms among adolescent friends, resulting from both peer selection and socialization processes. However, developmental differences and the role of school transitions in these processes have not been elucidated. A sample of 367 (51percent female) adolescents was followed from 6th to 11th grade to investigate prospective relationships between adolescents' and their friends' depressive symptoms in middle school and in high school. Results revealed that students selected friends with similar levels of depressive symptoms after each school transition. Additionally, friends appeared to socialize adolescents to become more similar in depressive affect in late middle school years. These findings suggest normative selection effects after school transitions, followed by socialization effects in middle school, but not high school. (Published Abstract)