TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2012//
TI  - Identity development as a buffer of adolescent risk behaviors in the context of peer group pressure and control
JO  - Journal of Adolescence
A1  - Dumas, Tara M.
A1  - Ellis, Wendy E.
A1  - Wolfe, David A.
SP  - 917
EP  - 927
VL  - 35
IS  - 4
N2  - We examined identity development as a moderator of the relation between peer group pressure and control and adolescents' engagement in risk behaviors. Participants (n = 1070: M-age = 15.45 years) completed a self-report measure of identity exploration, the degree to which they have explored a variety of self-relevant values, beliefs and goals, and identity commitment, the degree to which they have secured a personal identity. Participants further reported on their frequency of risk behaviors (substance use and general deviancy) and experienced peer group pressure and control. <br><br>RESULTS confirmed that identity commitment was a buffer of substance use and identity exploration was a buffer of general deviancy in more pressuring peer groups. In more controlling peer groups, teens with greater identity commitment engaged in less risk behavior than teens with low-identity commitment. Thus, identity development may be a suitable target to deter negative effects of peer pressure in high-risk adolescents. (C) 2011 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.       KW: Juvenile justice; Juvenile delinquency;<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0140-1971
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.12.012
ID  - ref1
ER  -