What did we learn in the Context research study?

Mental Health

In a 2018 study by Ennett et al., researchers examined whether factors such as who you choose as your friends and the extent of friends’ influence were involved with one’s likelihood to engage in substance use (e.g., smoking, alcohol, etc.). Researchers also looked at whether symptoms of depression lessen or increase the relationship between friend selection and friend influence with substance use.

Researchers found that depressive symptoms did not impact the relationship between friend selection and influence with substance use. However, depressive symptoms may indirectly impact substance use involvement depending on how connected they are to their peer network. 

Ennett, S. T., Faris, R. W., Hussong, A. M., Gottfredson, N., & Cole, V. (2018). Depressive Symptomology as a moderator of friend selection and influence on substance use involvement: Estimates from grades 6 to 12 in six longitudinal school-based social networks. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47(11), 2337–2352. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-018-0915-5 


Substance Use

Findings highlight the significant influence of social networks on adolescent substance use. Ennett et al. emphasizes the importance of social status (i.e., how popular someone is) and proximity (i.e., closeness to individuals within their peer network) to substance-using peers, demonstrating that individuals with higher social status and closer connections to substance-using peers are more likely to engage in substance use.

Hussong et al. expands on this by examining the role of social integration (i.e.,  degree to which an individual is involved in their social network) and deviant behavior (i.e., behaviors that violate social norms), revealing that while social integration and high status can increase substance use before high school transitions, they can decrease after the transition, alongside increased depressive symptoms and deviant behavior.   

Both studies converge on the idea that social networks play a pivotal role in shaping adolescent substance use behaviors. However, the nature of this influence can shift over time, particularly during major life transitions like high school entry. Understanding these dynamic relationships between social factors, individual characteristics, and substance use can inform interventions aimed at preventing and reducing adolescent substance abuse.

  1. Ennett, S. T., Bauman, K. E., Hussong, A., Faris, R., Foshee, V. A., Cai, L., & DuRant, R. H. (2006). The peer context of adolescent substance use: Findings from social network analysis. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 16(2), 159–186. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-7795.2006.00127.x

  2. Hussong, A. M., Ennett, S. T., McNeish, D. M., Cole, V. T., Gottfredson, N. C., Rothenberg, W. A., & Faris, R. W. (2020). Social network isolation mediates associations between risky symptoms and substance use in the high school transition. Development and Psychopathology, 32(2), 615–630. https://doi.org/10.1017/S095457941900049X

Dating and Peer Violence

This research provides more understanding of the complex factors influencing adolescent dating violence. They highlight the interplay between individual, peer, family, and neighborhood factors in shaping these behaviors. Individual factors shaping these behaviors included social status and bullying.

For example, adolescents with higher social status, especially girls, were found to be more likely at risk of being victims to dating violence. Moreover, individuals who bully others, but are not themselves victims of bullying, were more likely to perpetrate dating violence. In addition, peer factors were shown to impact these behaviors including peer influence and peer support.

Researchers found that adolescents with friends who engage in dating violence were more likely to do so themselves. In contrast, adolescents with high-quality friendships and friendships with individuals who promote prosocial behaviors can reduce the risk of dating violence. On the family level, researchers found that exposure to family violence increases the risk of adolescents imparting and being victims of dating violence. Finally, on the neighborhood level, living in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, particularly for girls, was found to increase the risk of dating violence among adolescents.

Given these diverse factors, interventions should assume a cross-sectoral and multi-level approach to reduce the prevalence of adolescent dating violence and promote healthier relationships among adolescents. 

  1. Reyes, H. L. M., Foshee, V. A., Tharp, A. T., Ennett, S. T., & Bauer, D. J. (2015). Substance use and physical dating violence. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 49(3), 467–475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2015.05.018

  2. Foshee, V. A., McNaughton Reyes, H. L., Ennett, S. T., Suchindran, C., Mathias, J. P., Karriker-Jaffe, K. J., Bauman, K. E., & Benefield, T. S. (2011). Risk and protective factors distinguishing profiles of adolescent peer and dating violence perpetration. Journal of Adolescent Health, 48(4), 344–350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.07.030

  3. Reyes, H. L. M., Foshee, V. A., Markiewitz, N., Chen, M. S., & Ennett, S. T. (2018). Contextual risk profiles and trajectories of adolescent dating violence perpetration. Prevention Science, 19(8), 997–1007. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-018-0896-3 

  4. Foshee, V. A., Benefield, T. S., Reyes, H. L. M., Ennett, S. T., Faris, R., Chang, L.-Y., Hussong, A., & Suchindran, C. M. (2013). The peer context and the development of the perpetration of adolescent dating violence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42(4), 471–486. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-013-9915-7

  5. Foshee, V. A., Benefield, T. S., McNaughton Reyes, H. L., Eastman, M., Vivolo-Kantor, A. M., Basile, K. C., Ennett, S. T., & Faris, R. (2016). Examining explanations for the link between bullying perpetration and physical dating violence perpetration: Do they vary by bullying victimization?: Bullying and Dating Violence Perpetration. Aggressive Behavior, 42(1), 66–81. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21606

  6. Chang, L.-Y., Foshee, V. A., Reyes, H. L. M., Ennett, S. T., & Halpern, C. T. (2015). Direct and indirect effects of neighborhood characteristics on the perpetration of dating violence across adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 44(3), 727–744. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-014-0190-z

Outcomes of Violence/Victimization

Researchers learned about the long-term consequences of adolescent victimization (i.e., victim of violence) and aggression. Folsee et al. highlights the immediate psychological and social repercussions of dating victimization, particularly for adolescents. Victims often experience increased internalizing symptoms (i.e., negative behaviors directed toward oneself), substance use (e.g., alcohol and cigarette use), and social isolation. Notably, the study underscores that these effects can vary based on gender. 

Gottfredson et al. takes a broader perspective, examining the developmental trajectory of adolescent aggression and its implications for adult outcomes. It reveals that individuals who engage in various forms of violence, including dating violence and peer violence, are more likely to exhibit persistent antisocial behavior and face legal consequences in adulthood. Moreover, participants in the study often came from disadvantaged backgrounds and struggled with emotional regulation.

Both studies emphasize the importance of addressing adolescent victimization and aggression early on to prevent long-term negative outcomes. Interventions that target risk factors, such as emotional regulation skills and social support, may be particularly effective in reducing the likelihood of both victimization and perpetration of violence.

  1. Foshee, V. A., Reyes, H. L., Gottfredson, N. C., Chang, L.-Y., & Ennett, S. T. (2013). A longitudinal examination of psychological, behavioral, academic, and relationship consequences of dating abuse victimization among a primarily rural sample of adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 53(6), 723–729. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.06.016

  2. Gottfredson, N. C., McNaughton-Reyes, H. L., & Wu, J. (2022). Predictive Associations Between Adolescent Profiles of Violent and Nonviolent Deviant Behavior With Convictions in Adulthood. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(13–14), NP12207–NP12237. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260521997453