Peer Acceptance: A Moderator of the Relation Between Family Conflict and Antisocial Behavior in Adolescence

Introduction: The incidence of antisocial behavior in adolescence puts youth at risk for the development of long-lasting psychosocial difficulties, including relational and academic difficulties, juvenile delinquency, adult crime, substance use, and violence (Thompson et al., 2011). Family conflict in the home and affiliation with peers are risk factors for the development of behavioural problems (Patterson, DeBaryshe, & Ramsey, 1989; Deković, 1999). Considering the importance of both family and friends in adolescence, the objective of the current study is to investigate the combined impact of both these social actors on adolescent antisocial behavior. Specifically, this study investigates the protective role that peers may play in reducing the risk associated with experiencing conflict in the family environment. With regards to antisocial behavior, many studies focus on the negative influence of peers, however few investigate how peer relations can bolster positive adolescent development. Because being accepted and liked by peers promotes positive social relationships and feelings of belonging, this study hypothesizes that acceptance levels at school may counter the negative effects of family conflict at home on the development of antisocial behavior over time. Moderation analyses are conducted using the PROCESS macro in SPSS.

Methods: The sample consists of 1278 students recruited in 8 middle schools in Oregon. Participants completed paper-pencil questionnaires in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. Antisocial behavior and family conflict were assessed using subscales of The Student Self-Report Survey (Dishion & Stormshack, 2001). Peer acceptance was assessed using unlimited peer nominations through which participants picked those whom they like the most. Peer acceptance in Gr. 7 is tested as a moderator of the relation between family conflict in Gr. 6 and adolescent antisocial behavior in Gr. 8 while controlling for students’ initial levels of antisocial behavior in Gr.6.

Results: Peer acceptance significantly moderates the relation between family conflict levels and antisocial behavior, (b = -.93, SE = .48, 90% CI [-1.72, -0.14], p = .054). This suggests that being accepted by one’s peers attenuates the negative effects associated with family conflict over time.

Conclusion: Results not only demonstrate the importance of continued prevention efforts that strive to promote positive family relations, but also indicate that more targeted programs focusing on adolescents identified at risk because of their family context should include components that promote social skills to encourage at risk adolescents’ acceptance in the peer group.