Promoting AAA Peer Influences: The Case of Teen Driving B. Bradford Brown University of Wisconsin-Madison Youth-Nex Conference on “Forward thinking: Preparing Our Youth for the Coming World” University of Virginia -- October, 2011

Let’s briefly examine: Nature of peer influence Case of teen driving Strategies to promote positive peer influence

Nature of peer influence

Five major truths about peer influence reciprocal / transactional multiple sources not necessarily intentional cumulative multiple forms

Studies suggest that peer influence... is inevitable... can be a bad thing but often is a good thing... is best studied in context

The case of teen driving We know that:  Driving accidents are a leading cause of injury and death among teens.  Accidents are most common in first months of driving.  Having teen passengers increases accident rates. Why?

Exploring peer influences on novice teen drivers Step 1: Identify forms of influence. Step 2: Develop influence measures. Step 3: Procure teen reports on influences.

Pro Forms of peer influence on teen driving Incitement Distraction Disruption Encourage safe driving Modeling Peer talk Proximal Distal Criticize danger

Exploratory Study Sample licensed Midwestern teens (49% female; 95% European American; Mean age = 16.9) Measures - Peer influence scales (proximal, distal) - Driving behavior: - Problem driving (accidents, near-accidents, pulled over, ticket) - Dangerous driving (a) when alone; (b) when with passengers Procedure: - Anonymous self-report survey. - Influence scales filled out for self-as-passenger and for peer passengers when self was driving.

 Incitement / disruption  Distraction  Aggression (verbal or physical)  Praises and cautions  Criticisms of dangerous driving Five influence factors... and the two distal factors

Regression results Problem Driving Self as passenger Negative influences.07* Praise / caution.12 Criticize bad driving -.02 R-squared.06

Regression results Problem Driving Self as passenger Negative influences -.05 Praise / caution.19 Criticize bad driving -.05 Peer passenger influence Negative influences.14** Praise / caution -.06 Criticize bad driving.00 R-squared.11

Regression results Problem Driving Self as passenger Negative influences -.05 Praise / caution.18 Criticize bad driving -.05 Peer passenger influence Negative influences.13* Praise / caution -.06 Criticize bad driving -.01 Distal Influences Modeling.01 Peer Talk.04 R-squared.11

Regression results Problem Dangerous Driving Drive-Alone Self as passenger Negative influences * Praise / caution * Criticize bad driving Peer passenger influence Negative influences.13* Praise / caution -.06 Criticize bad driving -.01 Distal Influences Modeling.01 Peer Talk.04 R-squared.11.18

Regression results Problem Dangerous Driving Drive-Alone Self as passenger Negative influences Praise / caution Criticize bad driving Peer passenger influence Negative influences.13*.20*** Praise / caution Criticize bad driving Distal Influences Modeling.01 Peer Talk.04 R-squared.11.27

Regression results Problem Dangerous Driving Drive-Alone Self as passenger Negative influences Praise / caution Criticize bad driving Peer passenger influence Negative influences.13*.16** Praise / caution Criticize bad driving Distal Influences Modeling Peer Talk R-squared.11.29

Regression results Problem Dangerous Dangerous Driving Drive-Alone Peer Passengers Self as passenger Negative influences *** Praise / caution * Criticize bad driving Peer passenger influence Negative influences.13*.16** Praise / caution Criticize bad driving Distal Influences Modeling Peer Talk R-squared

Regression results Problem Dangerous Dangerous Driving Drive-Alone Peer Passengers Self as passenger Negative influences * Praise / caution Criticize bad driving Peer passenger influence Negative influences.13*.16**.04 Praise / caution Criticize bad driving ** Distal Influences Modeling Peer Talk R-squared

Regression results Problem Dangerous Dangerous Driving Drive-Alone Peer Passengers Self as passenger Negative influences Praise / caution Criticize bad driving Peer passenger influence Negative influences.13*.16** -.01 Praise / caution Criticize bad driving ** Distal Influences Modeling Peer Talk R-squared

Findings suggest: Peer influences are correlated with problem driving Negative influences outweigh positive influences Criticizing bad driving doesn’t help Proximal influences are stronger than distal influences Peer influence on teens remains noticeable even when controlling for teen’s own influencing behavior toward peers as drivers.

What can we do? Awareness Affiliation Assessment

What can we do? Awareness Affiliation Assessment

What can we do? Awareness: Understand forms and directions in which peer influence is manifest. Affiliation Assessment

What can we do? Awareness: Understand forms and directions in which peer influence is manifest. Affiliation Assessment

What can we do? Awareness: Understand forms and directions in which peer influence is manifest. Affiliation: Join peer groups likely to maximize constructive and minimize destructive influences. Assessment

What can we do? Awareness: Understand forms and directions in which peer influence is manifest. Affiliation: Join peer groups likely to maximize constructive and minimize destructive influences. Assessment: Discern trade-offs between social enhancement and self-destructiveness.

And one final note: Should driver education also involve passenger education? Adolescents need to understand how they influence as well as how they are influenced by peers. For more information: