The last decade also has produced sorely needed research to suggest that peer influence effects are relevant to the development of healthy behaviors (e.g., prosocial behavior; Barry & Wentzel, 2006). Peer socialization processes also may provide potential protection from maladaptative outcomes (Adamczyk-Robinette, Fletcher, & Wright, 2002; Prinstein, Boergers, & Spirito, 2001).
