Patterns of Adolescent Peer Affiliation among Youth At-Risk of Maltreatment

Abstract

This study examined patterns of peer affiliations and their associations with child maltreatment, substance use, and future expectations. This study focused on 844 adolescents from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect. We identified four distinct peer-affiliation patterns: (1) no affiliation with peers who engage in either prosocial or deviant behaviors; (2) affiliation with peers using substances; (3) affiliation with peers who engage in severe deviant behaviors; and (4) affiliation with peers who engage in prosocial behaviors. Youth with sexual abuse experiences were more likely to be affiliated with peers who engage in severe deviant or prosocial behaviors. We also found different substance use and future expectations depending on peer affiliations. This study highlights the importance of examining both prosocial and deviant peer affiliations.