Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Structure of Male Adolescent Peer Networks and Risk for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration: Findings from a National Sample

  • Empirical Research
  • Published:
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Although peer networks have been implicated as influential in a range of adolescent behaviors, little is known about relationships between peer network structures and risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) among youth. This study is a descriptive analysis of how peer network “types” may be related to subsequent risk for IPV perpetration among adolescents using data from 3,030 male respondents to the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Sampled youth were a mean of 16 years of age when surveyed about the nature of their peer networks, and 21.9 when asked to report about IPV perpetration in their adolescent and early adulthood relationships. A latent class analysis of the size, structure, gender composition and delinquency level of friendship groups identified four unique profiles of peer network structures. Men in the group type characterized by small, dense, mostly male peer networks with higher levels of delinquent behavior reported higher rates of subsequent IPV perpetration than men whose adolescent network type was characterized by large, loosely connected groups of less delinquent male and female friends. Other factors known to be antecedents and correlates of IPV perpetration varied in their distribution across the peer group types, suggesting that different configurations of risk for relationship aggression can be found across peer networks. Implications for prevention programming and future research are addressed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbey, A., McAuslan, P., Zawacki, T., Clinton, A. M., & Buck, P. O. (2001). Attitudinal, experiential and situational predictors of sexual assault perpetration. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 16(8), 784–807.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, J. P., & Antonishak, J. (2008). Adolescent peer influences: Beyond the dark side. In M. J. Prinstein & K. A. Dodge (Eds.), Understanding peer influence in children and adolescence (pp. 141–160). New York: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arriaga, X. B., & Foshee, V. A. (2004). Adolescent dating violence: Do adolescents follow in their friends’ or their parents’ footsteps? Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 19, 162–184.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Back, K. W. (1990). Small groups. In R. Turner (Ed.), Social psychology: Sociological perspectives. London: Transaction Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Banyard, V. L., Moynihan, M. M., & Plante, E. G. (2007). Sexual violence prevention through bystander education: An experimental evaluation. Journal of Community Psychology, 35, 463–481.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bot, S. M., Engels, R., Kinibbe, R. A., & Meeus, W. H. J. (2004). Friends’ drinking behavior and adolescent alcohol consumption: The moderating role of friendship characteristics. Additctive Behaviors, 30, 929–947.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bott, E. (1957). Family and social network; roles norms and external relationships in ordinary urban families. London: Tavistock Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Botvin, G. J., & Griffin, K. W. (2004). Life skills training: Empirical findings and future directions. Journal of Primary Prevention, 25, 211–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, B. B., Bakken, J. P., Ameringer, S. W., & Mahon, S. D. (2008). A comprehensive conceptualization of the peer influence process in adolescence. In M. J. Prinstein & K. A. Dodge (Eds.), Understanding peer influence in children and adolescence (pp. 17–44). New York: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, T. J., Sumner, K. E., & Nocera, R. (2002). Understanding sexual aggression against women: An examination of the role of men's athletic participation and related variables. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17, 937–952.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, R., Starkeya, F., Holliday, J., Audrey, S., Bloorc, M., Parry-Langdon, et al. (2008). An informal school-based peer-led intervention for smoking prevention in adolescence (ASSIST): A cluster randomised trial. Lancet, 371, 1595–1602.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Capaldi, D. M., Dishion, T. J., Stoolmiller, M., & Yoerger, K. (2001). Aggression towards female partners by at-risk young men: The contribution of male adolescent friendships. Developmental Psychology, 37, 61–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carolina Population Center. (2001). National longitudinal study of adolescent health: Network variables code book. Retrieved on 3 Aug 2006 at http://www.cpc.unc.edu/projects/addhealth/codebooks/wave1.

  • Chantala, K., & Tabor, J. (1999). Strategies to perform a design-based analysis using the Add Health data. http://www.cpc.unc.edu/projects/addhealth/strategies_Data.html.

  • Chen, P., & White, H. R. (2004). Gender differences in adolescent and young adult predictors of intimate partner violence. Violence Against Women, 10, 1283–1301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, D. B., DeBellis, M. D., Lynch, K. G., Cornelius, J. R., & Martin, C. S. (2003). Physical and sexual abuse, depression and alcohol use disorders in adolescents: Onsets and outcomes. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 24, 51–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Connolly, J., Pepler, D., Craig, W., & Taradash, A. (2000). Dating experiences of bullies in early adolescence. Child Maltreatment, 5, 299–310.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crosset, T. W., Benedict, J. R., & McDonald, M. A. (1995). Male student athletes reported for sexual assault: A survey of campus police departments and judicial affairs offices. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 19, 126–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeKeseredy, W. S., & Kelly, K. (1995). Sexual abuse in Canadian university and college dating relationships: The contribution of male peer support. Journal of Family Violence, 10, 41–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DiIorio, C., Dudley, W. N., Kelly, M., Soet, J. E., Mbwara, J., & Potter, J. S. (2001). Social cognitive correlates of sexual experience and condom use among 13- through 15-year old adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 29, 208–216.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dishion, T. J., McCord, J., & Poulin, F. (1999). When interventions harm: Peer groups and problem behavior. American Psychologist, 54, 755–764.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dodge, K. A., & Sherrill, M. R. (2006). Deviant peer group effects in youth mental health interventions. In K. A. Dodge, T. J. Dishion, & J. E. Lansford (Eds.), Deviant peer influences in programs for youth (pp. 97–121). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehrensaft, M. K., Cohen, P., Brown, J., Smailes, E., Chen, H., & Johnson, J. G. (2003). Intergenerational transmission of partner violence: A 20-year prospective study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71, 741–753.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ennett, S. T., & Bauman, K. E. (2006). The contribution of influence and selection to adolescent peer group homogeneity: The case of adolescent cigarette smoking. In J. M. Levine & R. L. Moreland (Eds.), Small groups (pp. 21–36). New York: Psychology Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erickson, B. H. (1997). The relational basis of attitudes. In S. D. Berkowitz (Ed.), Social structures: A network approach. London: Jai Press, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Espelage, D. L., Holt, M. K., & Henkel, R. R. (2003). Examination of peer-group effects on aggression during early adolescence. Child Development, 74, 205–220.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fergusson, D. M., & Horwood, L. J. (1999). Prospective childhood predictors of deviant peer affiliations in adolescence. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 40, 581–592.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Forbes, G. B., Adam-Curtis, L. E., Pakalka, A. H., & White, K. B. (2006). Dating aggression, sexual coercion and aggression-supporting attitudes among college men as a function of participation in aggressive high school sports. Violence Against Women, 12, 441–455.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garnier, H. E., & Stein, J. A. (2002). An 18-year model of family and peer effects on adolescent drug use and delinquency. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 31, 45–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Granovetter, M. S. (1973). The strength of weak ties. American Journal of Sociology, 78, 1360–1380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, S. R. (2005). Evaluations findings: Men can stop rape, men of strength clubs 2004–2005. Retrieved at www.mencanstoprape.org on 8 Aug 2007.

  • Haynie, D. L. (2001). Delinquent peers revisited: Does network structure matter? The American Journal of Sociology, 106, 1013–1057.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heaney, C. A., & Israel, B. A. (2002). Social networks and social support. In F. M. Lewis (Ed.), Health behavior and health education: Theory, research and practice (pp. 185–209). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heise, L. L. (1998). Violence against women: An integrated, ecological framework. Violence Against Women, 4, 262–290.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Herrenkohl, T. I., Kosterman, R., Mason, W. A., & Hawkins, J. D. (2007). Youth violence trajectories and proximal characteristics of intimate partner violence. Violence and Victims, 22, 259–274.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Herrenkohl, T. I., Mason, W. A., Kosterman, R., Lengua, L. J., Hawkins, J. D., & Abbott, R. D. (2003). Pathways from physical childhood abuse to partner violence in young adulthood. Violence and Victims, 19, 123–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Humphrey, S. E., & Kahn, A. S. (2000). Fraternities, athletic teams, and rape. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 15, 1313–1322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (1994). Learning together and alone. Cooperative, competitive and individualistic learning. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koss, M. P., & Gaines, J. A. (1993). The prediction of sexual aggression by alcohol use, athletic participation and fraternity affiliation. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 8, 94–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lackey, C., & Williams, K. R. (1995). Social bonding and the cessation of partner violence across generations. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 57, 295–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Linder, J. R., & Collins, W. A. (2005). Parent and peer predictors of physical aggression and conflict management in romantic relationships in early adulthood. Journal of Family Psychology, 19, 252–262.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Malamuth, N. M., Linz, D., Heavey, C. L., Barnes, G., & Acker, M. (1995). Using the confluence model of sexual aggression to predict men’s conflict with women: A 10-year follow-up. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69(2), 353–369.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Malamuth, N. M., Sockloskie, R. J., Koss, M. P., & Tanaka, J. S. (1991). Characteristics of aggressors against women: Testing a model using a national sample of college students. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59, 670–681.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maschi, T., Bradley, C. A., & Morgan, K. (2008). Unraveling the link between trauma and delinquency: The mediating role of negative affect and delinquent peer exposure. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 6, 136–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCutcheon, A. L. (1987). Latent class analysis. (Sage University Paper series on Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences, No 07–064). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muthén, L. K. & Muthén, B. O. (1998–2007). Mplus user’s guide. (5th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Muthén & Muthén.

  • Muthén, B., & Muthén, L. K. (2000). Integrating person-centered and variable-centered analyses: Growth mixture modeling with latent trajectory classes. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 24, 882–891.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ozer, E., Tschann, J. M., Pasch, L. A., & Flores, E. (2004). Violence perpetration across peer and partner relationships: Co-occurrence and longitudinal patterns among adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 34, 64–71.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Podolny, J. M., & Baron, J. N. (1997). Resources and relationships: Social networks and mobility in the workplace. American Sociological Review, 62, 673–693.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pope, et al. (1995). Boys and girls clubs in public housing: Final research report. Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poulin, F., Dishion, T. J., & Burraston, B. (2001). 3-Year iatrogenic effects associated with aggregating high-risk adolescents in cognitive-behavioral preventive interventions. Applied Developmental Science, 5, 214–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radloff, L. S. (1997). The CES-D scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement, 1, 385–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raftery, A. E. (1995). Bayesian model selection in social research. Sociological Methodology, 25, 111–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, L. N., Kaminski, R. J., Parmley, A. M., Knudsen, K. H., & Fancher, P. (2003). The effects of peer group climate on intimate partner violence among married male US army soldiers. Violence Against Women, 9(104), 5–1071.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, G. (1978). Estimating the dimension of a model. Annotated Statistics, 6, 461–464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, M. D., & Nogrady, C. A. (1996). Fraternity membership, rape myths, and sexual aggression on a college campus. Violence Against Women, 2, 148–162.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, M. U., Dane, F. C., Archer, M. E., Devereaux, R. S., & Katner, H. P. (2000). Students together against negative decisions (STAND): Evaluation of a school-based sexual risk reduction intervention in the rural south. AIDS Education and Prevention, 12, 49–70.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A., Hamby, S. L., Boney-McCoy, S., & Sugarman, D. B. (1996). The revised conflict tactics scales (CTS2): Development and preliminary psychometric data. Journal of Family Issues, 17, 283–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thornberry, T. P., Lizotte, A. J., Krohn, M. D., Farnworth, M., & Jang, S. J. (1994). Delinquent peers, beliefs and delinquent behavior: A longitudinal test of interactional theory. Criminology, 32, 47–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Udry, J. R. (2003). The national longitudinal study of adolescent health (Addhealth), Waves I & II, 1994–1996; Wave III 2001–2002. Chapel Hill, NC: Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wellman, B. (1988). Structural analysis: From method and metaphor to theory and substance. In B. Wellman & S. D. Berkowitz (Eds.), Social structures: A network approach (pp. 19–61). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Windle, M., & Mrug, S. (2009). Cross-gender violence and perpetration and victimization among early adolescents and associations with attitudes toward dating conflict. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38, 429–439.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research uses data from Add Health, a program project designed by J. Richard Udry, Peter S. Bearman, and Kathleen Mullan Harris, and funded by a grant P01-HD31921 from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, with cooperative funding from 17 other agencies. Special acknowledgment is due Ronald R. Rindfuss and Barbara Entwisle for assistance in the original design. Persons interested in obtaining data files from Add Health should contact Add Health, Carolina Population Center, 123 W. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516-2524 (addhealth@unc.edu). No direct support was received from grant P01-HD31921 for this analysis.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Washington, Tacoma, 1900 Commerce, Box 358425, Tacoma, WA, 98402, USA

    Erin A. Casey

  2. School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, 4101 NE 15th, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA

    Blair Beadnell

Authors
  1. Erin A. Casey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Blair Beadnell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Erin A. Casey.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Casey, E.A., Beadnell, B. The Structure of Male Adolescent Peer Networks and Risk for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration: Findings from a National Sample. J Youth Adolescence 39, 620–633 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-009-9423-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-009-9423-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation