In the present study, the peer influences examined were those of the behaviour of the adolescent's three closest friends, hence the importance of peer selection as a possible mechanism. An important caveat is that peer relationships are not restricted to dyadic relationships with friends, but involve small and larger groups of friends [48] and fellow school pupils [4]. The peer group investigated (friends, classmates) and whether group or individual relationships are examined have potentially important implications for the derived pattern of results.
