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Abstract

Peer relationships have been a central tenet of most delinquency theories. Arguments derived from these theories assert that delinquency develops most frequently within a group context, however, there is less agreement concerning the types and attributes of the relationships delinquents have with their peers. This study explores the associations between delinquency and various aspects of peer relationships using Sutherland's differential association theory. The purpose of the study is: (1) to explore the delinquent activities of peers, and (2) to examine the interactive effects of delinquent peers on delinquency. Regression analyses with data from the National Youth Survey suggest that the prediction of serious delinquency is dominated by the interactive effects of peer variables and that peer relations differ across various age groups.