1. Instability in adolescent peer groups Jill Antonishak Alison K. W. Schlatter Joseph P. Allen University of Virginia Collaborators F. Christy McFarlandElizabeth BallJennifer Haynes Katie LittleNell ManningMelinda Rosenbaum L. Wrenn Thompson

2. Changes in adolescent friendships Peer groups are fluid (Cairns et al., 1995; Neckerman, 1996) Most youth experience transitions in their affiliative ties (e. g., Hardy, Bukowski, & Sippola, 2002; Berndt, Hawkins, & Jiao, 1999) Most research has focused on the disintegration of dyadic relationships ( e.g., Benenson & Christakos, 2003; Berndt, Hawkins, & Hoyle, 1986; Bowker, 2004) Limited research on peer group instability (Parker & Seal, 1996)

3. Research questions Do adolescent peer groups become more stable over time? Are there patterns of instability that may be more problematic for adolescents? What are the predictors and sequelae of peer group instability?

4. Participants 179 participants Equal number of males and females Assessed annually beginning at age 13 Socio-economically diverse (median income=$40-60,000) 31% African American; 69% European American

5. Changes in peer group Teen

6. Measures CBCL - Externalizing scale (Achenbach & Edelbrock, 1983) Child Depression Inventory (Kovacs & Beck, 1977) Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment – Peer Alienation scale (Armsden & Greenberg, 1987) Friendship Quality Questionnaire (Parker & Asher, 1993) Self-perception Profile for Adolescents – Self-worth Scale (Harter, 1988)

7. Peer group instability trajectories

8. Latent growth curve model χ 2 /df =5.66, 6; RMSEA=.03 (CI=0,.09); CFI=1.00

9. Growth mixture modeling Population is composed of distinct subgroups Three class model Increasing (28) Chronic High (73) Low (78) Groups should be validated by distal outcomes (Muthén, 2001)

10. Means for GMM classes

11. Externalizing behaviors High >Low F=3.76, p<.05

12. Alienation from peers Increasing>Low & Chronic F=3.86, p<.05

13. Negative friendship quality Low>Increasing & Chronic F=5.28, p<.01 Higher scores are less conflict and betrayal

14. Positive Friendship Quality Low>Increasing & Chronic F=3.28, p<.05

15. Self-worth Chronic & low> Increasing F=5.19, p<.01

16. Depression

17. Predictors and sequelae Latent difference score models (McArdle & Hamagami, 2001) Considers changes within a variable and the time-ordered relationships between variables How are changes in instability related to changes in adjustment?

18. y1y2y3y4 Δx2 Δy2Δy3Δy4 Δx3Δx4 y1y2y3 y4 x1x2x3x4 x1x2x3x4 x0x0 y0y0 exex ey σ x0,y0

19. y1y2y3y4 Δx2 Δy2Δy3Δy4 Δx3Δx4 y1y2y3 y4 x1x2x3x4 x1x2x3x4 K xsxs ysys x0x0 y0y0 y0*y0* ys*ys* xs*xs* x0*x0* exex eyey αyαy αxαx σ x0,ys σ y0,xs σ x0,y0

20. y1y2y3y4 Δx2 Δy2Δy3Δy4 Δx3Δx4 y1y2y3 y4 x1x2x3x4 x1x2x3x4 K xsxs ysys x0x0 y0y0 y0*y0* ys*ys* xs*xs* x0*x0* exex eyey βxβx βxβx βxβx βyβy βyβy βyβy αyαy αxαx σ x0,ys σ y0,xs σ x0,y0

22. y1y2y3y4 Δx2 Δy2Δy3Δy4 Δx3Δx4 y1y2y3 y4 x1x2x3x4 x1x2x3x4 K xsxs ysys x0x0 y0y0 y0*y0* ys*ys* xs*xs* x0*x0* exex eyey γxγx γxγx γxγx βxβx βxβx βxβx βyβy βyβy βyβy αyαy αxαx σ x0,ys σ y0,xs σ x0,y0

24. Coupling parameters T-values in parentheses

25. Conclusions Overall, adolescents peer groups remain stable over time, but there is considerable heterogeneity Some patterns of instability are linked to adjustment outcomes Transactional framework (Caspi, Elder, Bem, 1987)