A1 Journal article (refereed)
A comparison of dyadic and social network assessments of peer influence (2021)

DeLay, D., Laursen, B., Kiuru, N., Rogers, A., Kindermann, T., & Nurmi, J.-E. (2021). A comparison of dyadic and social network assessments of peer influence. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 45(3), 275-288. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025421992866

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: DeLay, Dawn; Laursen, Brett; Kiuru, Noona; Rogers, Adam; Kindermann,Thomas; Nurmi, Jari-Erik

Journal or series: International Journal of Behavioral Development

ISSN: 0165-0254

eISSN: 1464-0651

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 02/03/2021

Volume: 45

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 275-288

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025421992866

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/85089

Abstract

The present study compares two methods for assessing peer influence: the longitudinal actor–partner interdependence model (L-APIM) and the longitudinal social network analysis (L-SNA) Model. The data were drawn from 1,995 (49% girls and 51% boys) third grade students (M age = 9.68 years). From this sample, L-APIM (n = 206 indistinguishable dyads and n = 187 distinguishable dyads) and L-SNA (n = 1,024 total network members) subsamples were created. Students completed peer nominations and objective assessments of mathematical reasoning in the spring of the third and fourth grades. Patterns of statistical significance differed across analyses. Stable distinguishable and indistinguishable L-APIM dyadic analyses identified reciprocated friend influence such that friends with similar levels of mathematical reasoning influenced one another and friends with higher math reasoning influenced friends with lower math reasoning. L-SNA models with an influence parameter (i.e., average reciprocated alter) comparable to that assessed in L-APIM analyses failed to detect influence effects. Influence effects did emerge, however, with the addition of another, different social network influence parameter (i.e., average alter influence effect). The diverging results may be attributed to differences in the sensitivity of the analyses, their ability to account for structural confounds with selection and influence, the samples included in the analyses, and the relative strength of influence in reciprocated best as opposed to other friendships.

Keywords: pupils; lower comprehensive school pupils; peer relationships; peer learning; social interaction; social relations; social networks; mathematical skills

Free keywords: peer influence; dyadic data analysis; social network analysis; longitudinal methods; social context; peer relationships

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 2