Citation

Clemans KH, Graber JA, Bettencourt AF. J. Res. Adolesc. 2012; 22(3): 480-486.

Affiliation

Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1532-7795.2012.00784.x

PMID

23329877

PMCID

PMC3544153

Abstract

This study investigated whether respect for adult and peer authority are separate attitudes which have distinct relationships with aggressive and manipulative behavior. Items assessing admiration for and obedience toward parents, teachers, popular students, and friend group leaders were administered to 286 middle school students (M age = 12.6 yrs). Factor analysis revealed two primary factors which corresponded to adult-directed and peer-directed respect orientations. Results suggested that adult-directed respect was associated with lower levels of aggression and social manipulation, whereas peer-directed respect was associated with higher levels of these behaviors. The role of peer-directed respect as a risk factor for negative social behavior in adolescence is discussed.

Language: en