The Effect of Peer Influence on Adolescent Coping with Exposure to Violence
Violence is a problem that continues to plague many adolescents' neighborhoods. Neighborhood violence has the potential to negatively affect the lives of youths. Peer influence, as well as coping strategies, can have a significant impact on the way that exposure to violence affects an adolescent. This research aimed to explore how peer influence acts as a moderator of the relationship between confrontive coping and exposure to violence. The sample included 161 African-American and Latino high school students. These participants were recruited from a Catholic high school in Chicago, Illinois. Multiple regression analyses were used to test whether peer influences moderated the relationship between coping and exposure to violence. Gender was also tested as a moderator of the effect of social support on confrontive coping. Peer influence did not moderate the confrontive coping/exposure to violence relationship. However, negative peer influence had a significant effect on exposure to violence. In addition, gender acted as moderator of the relationship social support and confrontive coping. Further research in this area will provide insight to caregivers, teachers, and authority figures, so that they may act in the best interest of adolescents transitioning into adulthood.
School:
Howard University
Department:
Psychology
Research Advisor:
Mark S. Aber
Department of Research Advisor:
Psychology
Year of Publication:
2007