Psychophysiology of adolescent peer relations II: Recent advances and future directions

Abstract

Researchers have made significant progress in the investigation of how physiological measures can inform the study of adolescent peer functioning, including peer processes involving antisocial behavior, victimization, and peer social status. This paper highlights how the inclusion of physiological processes in research studies can address several critical questions regarding adolescent peer relations, with a particular emphasis on (1) developmental processes; (2) subtypes of adolescent peer relations; (3) gender differences; (4) biosocial interactions; and (5) the role of within-person variability. In addition, several important directions for future research, including longitudinal studies assessing bidirectional effects and the incorporation of additional indices of peer functioning and additional psychophysiological systems, are discussed. © 2012 The Author. Journal of Research on Adolescence © 2012 Society for Research on Adolescence.