In addition, however, maternal behaviors in interactions with adolescents were also linked to apparent susceptibility to peer influence. Teens who were observed to experience high levels of support from their mothers at age 13 were less likely to adopt levels of substance use consistent with their friends' use later on in mid-adolescence. Notably, maternal support was assessed in a different observational task than the recanting behaviors assessment above—a task designed to capture, not autonomy struggles, but rather qualities of attachment relationships and supportive behavior. It may be that teens who are secure in their ability to turn to their mothers under stress are less likely to end up feeling overly dependent upon their close friends, and thus less likely to be influenced by their friend's behavior. Further research would be needed, of course, to begin to assess whether this sort of mechanism was actually functioning and could account for the findings observed. It is noteworthy, however, that predictions from maternal support were found over and above predictions from adolescent recanting behavior with mothers, thus suggesting that family autonomy and support
