Going Along to Get Along? Interpersonal Processes and Girls' Delinquency

Abstract

Although social development research indicates that affiliation with delinquent peers predicts adolescent delinquent behavior, less is known about how peer relationships may impact girls' delinquent behavior differently than boys' behavior. To address this gap, this study examines adjudicated girls' perceptions of how their peer relationships impacted their decisions to engage in delinquency. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, a sample of eight adjudicated girls shared their perceptions of how same-gender friendships, opposite-gender non-romantic friendships, and opposite-gender romantic relationships influenced their choices to enact delinquent behavior. The study findings offer important implications for designing future gender-specific programming to prevent and/or reduce girls' delinquency.

Keywords:

• Adolescents
• delinquency
• peers
• interpersonal relationships

Notes

The authors thank Caren Putzu for assistance in preparing this manuscript for publication.

1. One participant represented a high runaway risk and, therefore, completed both interviews in one session while in a 24-hour emergency placement. She received $50 for completing both interviews.