Homogeneity of cigarette smoking within peer groups: influence or selection?

Many studies stress the relevance of peer group influence as a determinant of smoking behavior of adolescents. Recent research, however, concludes that homogeneity of behavior in friendships is also due to selection; youngsters choose new friends whose behavioral patterns are similar to their own. Data from a three-wave longitudinal study among students of secondary education (N = 1,063) was used to examine sources of peer similarities. The results demonstrated that both influence and selection processes contributed to peer group homogeneity, but the largest part of similarities in smoking status had to be attributed to selection. No support was found for friendships breaking down for reasons of dissimilarity in smoking status. Our findings underscore the complexity of processes and interactions with regard to the relationships of teenagers and offer new views on prevention programs.