Dynamic peer networks: A longitudinal study of peer influence on delinquency during adolescence

The purpose of this dissertation is to further understand who matters in the adolescent/peer delinquency relationship by exploring different definitions of the term friend and how changes in these friends are related to adolescent delinquency.;The first analysis focuses on the definition of the term friend(s) which is defined as an adolescent's nominated egocentric friendship group, the first nominated friend (i.e. the best friend), and the rest of the friendship group excluding the best friend.;Four primary questions are addressed. First, is there a relationship between an adolescent's delinquency and that of the three specified definitions of the term friend(s)? Second, does the delinquency of an adolescent's best friend and the rest of the group each have a unique and significant association with his or her delinquency? Third, does the magnitude of the group influence relative to that of the best friend depend on the size of the group? Fourth, does the effect of the best friend's delinquency depend upon its similarity to the delinquency of the rest of the friendship group?;The second analysis in this dissertation focuses on the best friend. Best friendships can change both in terms of making and breaking friendship ties but also in terms of best friend behavior. To this end, I focus on the possibility of fluidity of best friend delinquent behavior over two time points (T1, T2) and how this is related to adolescent delinquency.;Two research questions are addressed. Does continuous exposure to a delinquent best friend at several points in time influence respondents the same or differently than exposure to a delinquent at just one point in time? Second, is the magnitude of the effect of having best friend behavior change from non-delinquent to delinquent comparable to the effect of best friend behavior change from delinquent to non-delinquent? If so, are the corresponding coefficients of an opposite sign?;The final chapter of this dissertation continues with the theme of fluidity and stability of the peer environment but is broadened to encompass the entire adolescent egocentric friendship network. This chapter offers direction for future research on influence, adolescent friendship networks, and delinquency.