The Influence of Differential Peer Associations on Delinquency Varies Depending on the Combination of Unstructured Socializing and Personal Morals

Abstract

The current study explores implications of Situational Action Theory suggesting that the effect of crime-prone peer associates on delinquency is contingent on the combination of unstructured socializing and personal morals. I analyse this three-way interaction with data from a German adolescent sample, using predictions and (average) marginal effects that were calculated from a multilevel Bayesian negative binomial regression. In line with the implications of Situational Action Theory, the results indicate that criminogenic peer influence depends on unstructured socializing and personal morals. Peer effects on criminal behaviour were marginal among individuals who held strong personal morals against delinquency and among individuals who spent relatively little time in unstructured socializing. Peer effects were greatest among individuals who held weaker morals against delinquency and spent a relatively large amount of time in unstructured socializing. The results underline the importance of studying the contingencies of criminogenic peer effects on personal and environmental factors.