Abstract
Bioecological theory suggests that adolescents' health is a result of selection and socialization processes occurring between adolescents and their microsettings. This study examines the association between adolescents' friends and health using a social network model and data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 1,896, mean age = 15.97 years). Results indicated evidence of friend influence on BMI and physical activity. Friendships were more likely among adolescents who engaged in greater physical activity and who were similar to one another in BMI and physical activity. These effects emerged after controlling for alternative friend selection factors, such as endogenous social network processes and propinquity through courses and activities. Some selection effects were moderated by gender, popularity, and reciprocity.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 537-549 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Journal of Research on Adolescence |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 2013 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Cultural Studies
Cite this
Adolescent friendships, BMI, and physical activity : Untangling selection and influence through longitudinal social network analysis. / Simpkins, Sandra D.; Schaefer, David R.; Price, Chara D.; Vest, Andrea E.
In: Journal of Research on Adolescence, Vol. 23, No. 3, 09.2013, p. 537-549.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Adolescent friendships, BMI, and physical activity
T2 - Untangling selection and influence through longitudinal social network analysis
AU - Simpkins, Sandra D.
AU - Schaefer, David R.
AU - Price, Chara D.
AU - Vest, Andrea E.
PY - 2013/9
Y1 - 2013/9
N2 - Bioecological theory suggests that adolescents' health is a result of selection and socialization processes occurring between adolescents and their microsettings. This study examines the association between adolescents' friends and health using a social network model and data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 1,896, mean age = 15.97 years). Results indicated evidence of friend influence on BMI and physical activity. Friendships were more likely among adolescents who engaged in greater physical activity and who were similar to one another in BMI and physical activity. These effects emerged after controlling for alternative friend selection factors, such as endogenous social network processes and propinquity through courses and activities. Some selection effects were moderated by gender, popularity, and reciprocity.
AB - Bioecological theory suggests that adolescents' health is a result of selection and socialization processes occurring between adolescents and their microsettings. This study examines the association between adolescents' friends and health using a social network model and data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 1,896, mean age = 15.97 years). Results indicated evidence of friend influence on BMI and physical activity. Friendships were more likely among adolescents who engaged in greater physical activity and who were similar to one another in BMI and physical activity. These effects emerged after controlling for alternative friend selection factors, such as endogenous social network processes and propinquity through courses and activities. Some selection effects were moderated by gender, popularity, and reciprocity.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84882611746&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1532-7795.2012.00836.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1532-7795.2012.00836.x
M3 - Article
VL - 23
SP - 537
EP - 549
JO - Journal of Research on Adolescence
JF - Journal of Research on Adolescence
SN - 1050-8392
IS - 3
ER -