Modeling the Reciprocal Relationships Between Group-Based Developmental Trajectories of Peer Delinquency and Self-Reported Delinquency During Adolescence: An Application of Interactional Theory

• Published date: 01 February 2021
• Date: 01 February 2021
• DOI: 10.1177/0093854820964237
• Subject Matter: Articles

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR, 2021, Vol. 48, No. 2, February 2021, 234 –255.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854820964237

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© 2020 International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology

234

MODELING THE RECIPROCAL RELATIONSHIPS

BETWEEN GROUP-BASED DEVELOPMENTAL

TRAJECTORIES OF PEER DELINQUENCY AND

SELF-REPORTED DELINQUENCY DURING

ADOLESCENCE

An Application of Interactional Theory

SUJUNG CHO

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

This study examines whether one’s own delinquency and peer delinquency are reciprocally related and how prior delinquency

and bonding variables influence peer delinquency trajectories. Using data from a 6-year follow-up study of 2,351 Korean

adolescents, the study incorporates a group-based model to identify subgroups, each having a unique pattern of peer delin-

quency trajectories. The models yielded three subgroups: the early-onset and declining, the late-onset, and the nonoffending

groups. The results reveal that compared with the nonoffending group, prior delinquency was significant for both the early-

onset and decreasing and late-onset groups. Membership in the early-onset and decreasing group was associated with a

greater likelihood of prior delinquency compared with the late-onset group. Commitment to school rule differentiated the

early-onset and decreasing group from the nonoffending group, and partially mediated the effect of prior delinquency. The

late-onset group members reported the highest probability of later delinquent behavior among the three groups.

Keywords: bonding variables; developmental trajectories; peer delinquency; delinquency; group-based model

The role and influence of peers in forming delinquent behavior has persistently, and con-

tinues to, attract much attention. Peer delinquency is viewed as a prominent cause in

understanding the stability of adolescent delinquency because teenagers are more likely to

commit antisocial acts in groups and have the tendency to associate with peers who exhibit

similar behaviors, often known as homophily (Haynie & Osgood, 2005; Monahan et al.,

2009; Vitaro et al., 2005; Weerman, 2011).

For a better understanding of the linkage between peer delinquency and one’s own delin-

quency, accurate empirical predictions must be made to resolve the related conceptual

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Sujung Cho, Department

of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1000 Faner Drive Faner Hall,

Mail Code 4504, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA; e-mail: sujung.cho@siu.edu

964237CJBXXX10.1177/0093854820964237Criminal Justice and BehaviorCho /

research-article2020

Cho / ONE’S DELINQUENCY AND PEER DELINQUENCY 235

problems. In fact, empirical studies begin by examining the three concepts of social learning

theory—delinquent peers, delinquent values, and delinquent behavior. This theory proposes

that youth who associate with delinquent peers are more likely to hold and reinforce delin-

quent values and, in turn, demonstrate a higher likelihood of delinquent behavior (Mowen &

Boman, 2018; Thomas & Mccuddy, 2020). The theoretical perspective and previous empiri-

cal studies suggest that causal influences are unidirectional/recursive and that delinquency is

merely a dependent variable. However, the reversed model of this causal order suggests that

individuals who are delinquent associate with others who exhibit similar aggressive tenden-

cies and behaviors (Glueck & Glueck, 1950). From this perspective, associations with delin-

quent peers are a consequence of delinquents associating with like-minded peers rather than

a cause of delinquency. Many influences in fact are bidirectional that variables of this sort are

reciprocally related (Thornberry et al., 1994). Moreover, causal influences vary at different

developmental stages of the life span and upon different patterns of criminal careers (i.e.,

onset, persistence, and desistance). Many previous studies also suggest that causal models

are nondevelopmental and provide cross-sectional effects of factors related to delinquency at

one age, leading to methodological shortcomings (Cho, 2018).

To address this gap in the literature, the current study contributes to the developmental

research of a dynamic process of peer influences from the perspective of the interactional

theory of Thornberry (1987). First, this study develops a causal model that presents interac-

tional theory’s approach to them to examine whether one’s own delinquency and peer delin-

quency are reciprocally related. Also, this study uses group-based trajectory modeling to

identify subgroups of individuals, each having a distinct pattern of offending trajectories,

using a 6-year longitudinal panel data of Korean adolescents between the ages 14 and 19

years. Overall, the study attempts to advance both the theoretical and methodological

frameworks that challenge developmental research. These advances will presuppose devel-

opmental determinism where early adolescent delinquent behavior leads to patterns of peer

delinquency trajectories or, alternatively, patterns of peer delinquency trajectories influence

late adolescent delinquency.

INTERACTIONAL THEORY

Interactional theory asserts that delinquency is fundamentally caused by the weakening

of social bonds to conventional society. An environment, however, is required in which

delinquency can be learned and reinforced, indicating that delinquent peer association rep-

resents a more proximal causal influence on delinquency (Thornberry, 1987; Thornberry &

Krohn, 2001). The timing of delinquent peer association plays a significant role in under-

standing the continuity and change of delinquent behavior during adolescence (Moffitt,

1993; Vitaro et al., 2005). The following section provides an overview of the interactional

theory in three fundamental respects: reciprocal structures, developmental perspectives,

and structural position effect.

RECIPROCAL STRUCTURES

The first premise of interactional theory is that delinquency and its possible causes become

involved in a causal loop, each reinforcing the others over time and, in turn leading to greater

levels of offending (Thornberry, 1987, 2005). In other words, this theory emphasizes the

reciprocal causal structure to examine the interplay of various social factors and delinquent