Poster #99 - Predictors of and Outcomes Associated with Adolescents’ Peer-Related Goals: A Novel Approach

• In Event: Poster Session 13

Abstract

There is growing evidence that maternal consulting about peer relationships and parent-adolescent conflict about peer relationships is related to adolescents’ social behavior (Gerardy, et al. 2015; Gregson et al. 2017; Low & Mounts, 2022; Mounts, 2011; Poulin et al. 2012). Missing from the literature is a consideration of mechanisms that account for these relationships (Ladd & Kochenderfer-Ladd, 2019). One mechanism that might account for these relationships is peer-related goals that adolescents develop in the context of interactions with their mothers. Goals that adolescents have regarding peer relationships may influence positive and negative social behavior (Bresland et al., 2018; Findley-Van Nostrand & Ojanen, 2018). Social information processing theory suggests that goals are important in social behavior (Crick & Dodge, 1994) with agentic goals focused on power in relationships and intimacy goals focused on connection with others (Ojanen et al., 2005). In the current investigation, adolescents’ goals were examined using a novel methodology. Two research questions were of interest. First, are maternal consulting and maternal-adolescent conflict related to adolescents’ social goals? Second, are adolescents’ social goals related to social adjustment?

Sixty-eight mother-adolescent dyads (51% girls; M adolescent age = 12.39 years) participated. Dyads were videorecorded discussing hypothetical situations involving peers (10 minutes). Subsequently, adolescents viewed the videorecorded interactions between their mother and themselves and were interviewed by a research assistant about their goals related to each interaction. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded for twelve peer-related goals (kappa = .91). Three of the goals are used in analyses, including maintain positive relationships (POSREL), enforce peer compliance (ENFORCE), and avoid peer problems (AVOID). Consulting (alpha adolescent = .89; alpha mother = .72; Mounts, 2004) and conflict about peers were assessed (alpha adolescent = .89; alpha mother = .72; Mounts, 2011). Positive friendship quality (alpha = .95) and friendship conflict were assessed (alpha adolescent = .86; Parker & Asher, 1993). Aggression (alpha adolescent = .78; alpha mother = .80) and victimization were assessed (alpha adolescent = .78; alpha mother = .84; Crick & Grotpeter, 1995).

Table 1 presents results of the first set of regression analyses. Higher adolescent reports of consulting were related to higher POSREL and lower ENFORCE goals. In contrast, higher levels of adolescent reports of conflict about peers were related to lower POSREL and higher ENFORCE goals. Higher levels of maternal reports of conflict were related to lower POSREL goals and higher ENFORCE goals. Neither adolescents’ or mothers’ reports of consulting or conflict about peers were related to AVOID goals.

Table 2 presents results of the second set of hierarchical regression analyses. None of the goals were related to positive friendship quality. Higher levels of POSREL were related to lower friend conflict and higher levels of ENFORCE were related to higher levels of friend conflict. Higher levels of ENFORCE were related to higher levels of adolescent aggression (maternal and adolescent report). Similarly, higher levels of ENFORCE were related to higher levels of victimization (maternal and adolescent report). Cross-sectional study suggests need for longitudinal investigation to examine temporal ordering of variables.

Authors

• Cassidy Knoerzer, Northern Illinois University
  Presenting Author

• Nina S. Mounts, Northern Illinois University