Social Support, Loyalty to Delinquent Peers, and Offending: An Elaboration and Test of the Differential Social Support Hypothesis. Issue 5 (4th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brezina, Timothy; Azimi, Andia M.
• Is Part Of: Deviant behavior. Volume 39:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 648
• Page End: 663
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04
• Subjects: Deviant behavior -- Periodicals; 302.54205
• DOI: 10.1080/01639625.2017.1286190
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0163-9625

Abstract

ABSTRACT: While most research focuses on the positive effects of social support on adolescent development, Cullen hypothesizes that social support may promote crime and delinquency under certain conditions. Specifically, when social support is derived from deviant sources, it may promote offending behavior. In this study, we test an elaborated version of this "differential social support" hypothesis. The results indicate that, among adolescents who associate with delinquent peers, peer social support is associated with an increase in delinquent behavior. These findings highlight the potential "dark side" of social support. Implications for criminological theory and crime control policy are discussed.