Age differences in resistance to peer influence.

TLDR

Prior research indicates that susceptibility to peer pressure follows an inverted‑U curve, rising in early adolescence, peaking near age 14, and declining thereafter, but this pattern has mainly been studied in the context of antisocial behavior. This study examined age differences and developmental change in resistance to peer influence using a novel self‑report instrument that distinguishes susceptibility to peer pressure from willingness to engage in antisocial activity. Data from more than 3,600 participants aged 10–30 across four ethnically and socioeconomically diverse samples, drawn from one longitudinal and two cross‑sectional studies, were pooled for analysis. Resistance to peer influence increased linearly between ages 14 and 18, with little change before age 14 or after 18, indicating that middle adolescence is a critical period for developing the capacity to resist peer pressure.

Abstract

Prior research describes the development of susceptibility to peer pressure in adolescence as following an inverted U-shaped curve, increasing during early adolescence, peaking around age 14, and declining thereafter. This pattern, however, is derived mainly from studies that specifically examined peer pressure to engage in antisocial behavior. In the present study, age differences and developmental change in resistance to peer influence were assessed using a new self-report instrument that separates susceptibility to peer pressure from willingness to engage in antisocial activity. Data from four ethnically and socioeconomically diverse samples comprising more than 3,600 males and females between the ages of 10 and 30 were pooled from one longitudinal and two cross-sectional studies. Results show that across all demographic groups, resistance to peer influences increases linearly between ages 14 and 18. In contrast, there is little evidence for growth in this capacity between ages 10 and 14 or between 18 and 30. Middle adolescence is an especially significant period for the development of the capacity to stand up for what one believes and resist the pressures of one's peers to do otherwise.