Profiles of Social Status Among at-Risk Adolescents in a Residential Setting: A Person-Centered Approach.

INTRODUCTION

Adolescents often care about their social status which may be influenced by various personality and behavioral characteristics. This study used a person-centered approach to examine intrapersonal (i.e., psychopathy, narcissism, self-esteem) and interpersonal (i.e., aggression, prosocial behavior) factors associated with how adolescents are perceived by peers.

METHODS

Participants were 256 adolescents (61% of participants identified as male), ages 16-19, attending a 22-week quasi-military residential program. Self-report and peer-nomination data were collected.

RESULTS

Latent profile analysis identified three groups based on peer-reported factors reflecting social preference, perceived popularity, and social impact. Each group demonstrated some distinct intrapersonal and interpersonal characteristics. Notably, the group with relatively higher social status exhibited generally positive traits (e.g., helpfulness; low levels of aggressiveness) but also moderate levels of peer-reported dominance and attempts to get others to do what they want.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescent social status may be attained by a complex interplay of prosocial behaviors and peer-perceived dominance, highlighting the importance of further examining how personality and behavioral characteristics contribute to adolescent peer dynamics.