Peers and delinquency: A genetically informed, developmentally sensitive perspective

Abstract

Deviant peer affiliation (DPA) has been shown to be one of the strongest predictors of delinquent behavior in children and adolescents. However, the role of DPA may differ depending on the type of delinquent behavior considered (i.e., overt vs. covert delinquency) and participants’ developmental stage (i.e., childhood vs. adolescence). The role of DPA may also vary depending on individuals’ genetic disposition for delinquent behavior. This chapter reviews the literature from quantitative (i.e., behavioral) genetic studies and from molecular genetic studies (1) to determine whether DPA is genetically influenced and (2) to examine its contribution to overt or covert delinquency according to a Selection, a Socialization, or an Interactional perspective. The conclusion raises a number of methodological and conceptual issues that need to be addressed in future research.