An Integrative Review on the Social Network Dynamics of Peer Influence in Youth Networks (P007)

• In Event: Poster session

Abstract

Social network analysis (SNA) offers interesting prospects to study the role of peer influence and group processes in the development of criminal behavior of youth. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive overview of the main research findings on deviant youth influence using a social network approach. In this integrative literature review, we examined what type of information is used for social networks of youth, how the network compositions affect deviant influence and how deviant influence is transmitted. 39 articles were selected through Scopus and Web of Science. First, the results showed that the analyses in the studies were mainly based on school-based surveys and a narrow range of deviant behavior. Second, while it was found that SNA can reveal more about the dynamics of deviant peer influence among youth, there were also conflicting findings regarding the impact of certain positions of nodes or network compositions. Third, the results showed that the spread of deviant influence seemed to diminish from a certain point, suggesting that direct and stronger contacts are more important for this spread. Future research can focus further on solving the remaining discrepancies by applying SNA, which could yield meaningful and more far-reaching results.

Authors

• Joke Geeraert, Ghent University

• Luis Enrique Correa da Rocha, Ghent University

• Christophe Vandeviver, Ghent University