@article{ref1,
title="A longitudinal social network perspective on adolescents' exposure to violent video games and aggression",
journal="Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking",
year="2021",
author="Verheijen, Geert P. and Cillessen, Antonius H. N. and van den Berg, Yvonne H. M. and Stoltz, Sabine E. M. J. and Burk, William J.",
volume="24",
number="1",
pages="24-31",
abstract="Adolescents play video games as a social leisure activity, yet it is unclear whether peer influences play a role in spreading violent video game exposure (VVE) and  aggression. It has been suggested that adolescents' aggression increases because of  their friend's exposure to violent video games. This study tests this suggestion by  using longitudinal social network analyses to investigate selection and  socialization of aggression owing to VVE. A total of 796 adolescents from 34  different classrooms were followed from grade 7 to grade 8 (M(age) = 12.60 years, 51  percent male adolescents). Exposure to violent video games, physical aggression, and  within-classroom friendships were assessed at both time points. Data were analyzed  by means of stochastic actor-based modeling in RSiena to estimate the effects of VVE  and aggressive behavior on changes in friendships (selection), and the effects of  friendships on changes in participants' VVE and aggressive behavior (socialization). <br><br>RESULTS showed homotypic selection effects, that is, adolescents became friends with  peers who were similar in aggression and similar in violent video game exposure. Furthermore, there was a homotypic socialization effect, as friends became more  similar in aggression over time. Friends did not become more similar in VVE over  time. Violent games played by friends did not increase adolescents' own aggressive  behavior. This suggests that concerns about peer influences on violent video games  are unwarranted. Future studies on socialization processes of VVE should focus on  influences from closest friends and investigate behavior during actual play.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2152-2715",
doi="10.1089/cyber.2019.0776",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2019.0776"
}