The Enduring Impact of Peers Over the Life Course: Does the Adolescent Peer Context Shape Romantic Partner Outcomes in Adulthood?

• In Event: Rochester Youth Development Study: The Next Generation of Research(ers)

Abstract

Research documents that romantic partnerships, most notably "good" marriages, are a positive turning point that can facilitate desistance from offending. Moreover, several scholars argue that these partnerships elicit a change to the peer context, which is a key mechanism to the desistance process. Alternatively, this study investigates whether peers play an important role in the selection into such romantic partnerships. Using panel and life history calendar data from the Rochester Youth Development Study, we investigate whether patterns of adolescent (deviant) peer context predict several dimensions of romantic partnerships in adulthood, including relationship statuses, the quality of romantic partner relationships, and whether the romantic partner is deviant. Ultimately, this study speaks to the (dis)continuity of social relationships and the salience of peers over the life course.

Authors

• Jean McGloin, University of Maryland

• Megan Bears Augustyn, Florida State University