A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Do Adolescents Adopt the Prosocial Behaviors of the Classmates They Like? A Social Network Analysis on Prosocial Contagion




AuthorsChávez, Daniela V.; Palacios, Diego; Laninga-Wijnen, Lydia; Salmivalli, Christina; Garandeau, Claire F.; Berger, Ghristian; Kanacri, Bernadette Paula Luengo

PublisherSpringer

Publication year2025

JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence

Volume54

Issue1

First page 17

Last page31

ISSN0047-2891

eISSN1573-6601

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-024-02037-z

Web address https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-024-02037-z

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/457115494


Abstract

While the influence of high-status peers on maladaptive behaviors is well-documented, socialization processes of prosocial behavior through high-status peers remain understudied. This study examined whether adolescents’ prosocial behavior was influenced by the prosocial behavior of the peers they liked and whether this effect was stronger when the peers they liked were also well-liked by their classmates. Three waves of data, six months apart, were collected among Chilean early adolescents who completed peer nominations and ratings at Time 1 (n=294, Mage=13.29, SD=0.62; 55.1% male), Time 2 (n=282), and Time 3 (n=275). Longitudinal social network analyses showed that adolescents adopted the prosocial behavior of the classmates they liked - especially if these classmates were well-liked by peers in general. In addition, adolescents low in likeability were more susceptible to this influence than adolescents high in likeability. The influence resulted both in increases and – especially – decreases in prosocial behavior, depending on the level of prosociality of the liked peer. Findings suggest that likeability represents an important aspect of peer status that may be crucial for understanding the significance of peer influence with respect to prosocial behaviors during adolescence.


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Last updated on 2025-27-03 at 16:26