Group Identification in Early Adolescence: Its Relation with Peer Adjustment and Its Moderator Effect on Peer Influence

Abstract

This study was conducted to test whether group identification (importance of the group to the individual) covaried with individual-group similarity on problem behavior; and whether group identification moderated peer group influence on the individual's development of delinquent behavior across a 1-year period. The level of reciprocated nominations within the individual's self-nominated group was controlled for in all analyses. Participants were 190 sixth and seventh graders (during the first year of the study) from the north of Italy. Level of reciprocated nominations within the group, but not identification, was found to covary with individual-group behavioral similarity (group behavior interacted with reciprocity of group nominations in predicting individual behavior). Group identification, but not reciprocated nominations, was found to moderate peer group influence on the individual's change in delinquent behavior, across 1 year. The individual's peer status within the classroom, level of reciprocated nominations, and gender all were related to the individual's level of group identification. Results are discussed in terms of understanding peer group influence on the individual.

School Belonging of Adolescents: The Role of Teacher–Student Relationships, Peer Relationships and Family Involvement

“…Gilligan (1982) stated that adolescents, particularly females, are more likely to focus on their relationships at school because this is their main context. It is also proposed that girls give more importance to group membership and need more nurturing behavior from their friends than do boys (Newman et al, 2007;Kiesner et al, 2002).…”

“…Given that a sense of belonging is important for adolescent wellbeing, research has shown that adolescent girls give more importance to group membership, as well as relatedness and connectedness to others, while competition and autonomy are more important for boys (Newman, Newman, Griffen, O'Connor, & Spas, 2007;Sanchez et al, 2005). Also, adolescent girls have more friends than do their male peers, and need more nurturing behavior from their friends than boys do (Kiesner, Cadinu, Poulin, & Bucci, 2002). In addition, Tosolt (2010) expressed that although both girls and boys value teacher care, girls ascribe more importance to academically nurturing behavior, while boys focus on interpersonal caring behavior.…”

Exposure to criminal environment and criminal social identity in a sample of adult prisoners: The moderating role of psychopathic traits.

“…Although studies on CSI among females are missing, prior research suggested that women are more likely to form stronger bonds and identification with in-group members because of the greater need to be an accepted and supported member of a group (e.g., Brown et al, 1986;Brown & Lohr, 1987;Kiesner et al, 2002;Newman et al, 2007).…”

Sports practices related to alcohol and tobacco use among high school students

“…20 Individuals who are similar tend to form groups with greater cohesion, and being recognized as a member seems to increase the sense of identification with the group. 40 Thus, this relationship appears to be bidirectional, because individuals tend to be grouped by their common characteristics and perceive themselves as being more similar when they feel like part of a group. Adolescents may choose a particular sports activity because they share a number of similar characteristics or styles with other players, even in terms of substance use preferences and patterns.…”