The definitive handbook on peer relations has now been significantly revised with 55% new material. Bringing together leading authorities, this volume presents cutting-edge research on the dynamics of peer interactions, their impact on multiple aspects of social development, and the causes and consequences of peer difficulties. From friendships and romance to social withdrawal, aggression, and victimization, all aspects of children's and adolescents' relationships are explored. The book examines how individual characteristics interact with family, group, and contextual factors across development to shape social behavior. The importance of peer relationships to emotional competence, psychological well-being, and achievement is analyzed, and peer-based interventions for those who are struggling are reviewed. Each chapter includes an introductory overview and addresses theoretical considerations, measures and methods, research findings and their implications, and future directions. New to This Edition *Chapters on neuroscience, social media, social inequality, prosocial behavior with peers, and sociological approaches. *Expanded coverage of applied issues: chapters on interventions for socially withdrawn children, activity programs that promote positive youth development, and policy initiatives. *Chapters on same- and other-sex peer relationships, peer influence, educational environments, evolutionary models, the self-concept, personality, and animal studies. *Increased attention to variations in peer relations due to culture, gender, and race. *Many new authors and topics reflect a decade's worth of theoretical and methodological advances, including the growing use of complex longitudinal methods.

Table of Contents:
I. Introduction 1. Peer Relations: Past, Present, and Promise, William M. Bukowski, Brett Laursen, & Kenneth H. Rubin II. Conceptual Origins of Peer Research 2. Socioethological/Developmental Principles and Perspectives on Peer Interactions, Relationships, and Groups from Early Childhood through Adolescence, António J. Santos & Brian E. Vaughn 3. Pathways, Networks, and Norms. A Sociological Perspective on Peer Research, René Veenstra, Jan KornelisDijkstra, & Derek A. Kreager 4. Sociometric Perspectives, Antonius H. N. Cillessen & William M. Bukowski 5. The Peer Group: Linking Conceptualizations, Theories, and Methods, Thomas A. Kindermann & Scott D. Gest 6. Evolution and Peer Relations: Considering the Functional Roles of Aggression and Prosociality, Patricia H. Hawley & Andrew R. Bower 7. Peer Relations and Psychosocial Development: Perspectives from Genetic Approaches, Mara Brendgen, Isabelle Ouellet-Morin, & Michel Boivin 8. Peers and the Self, William M. Bukowski & Diana Raufelder III. Individual Characteristics and Peer Interactions 9. Personality and Peer Relationships, Marcel A. G. van Aken & Jens B. Asendorpf 10. Neuroscience and Peer Relations, Amanda E. Guyer & Johanna M. Jarcho 11. The Beginnings of Peer Relations, Dale F. Hay, Marlene Caplan, & Alison Nash 12. Children’s Play and Peer Relations, Nina Howe & Jamie Leach 13. Prosocial Behavior with Peers: Intentions, Outcomes, and Interpersonal Adjustment, Melanie A. Dirks, Kristen A. Dunfield, & Holly E. Recchia 14. Conflict between Peers, Brett Laursen & Ryan Adams 15. The Interface of Aggression and Peer Relations in Childhood and Adolescence, Frank Vitaro, Michel Boivin, & François Poulin 16. Bullying and Victimization, Christina Salmivalli & Kätlin Peets 17. Avoiding and Withdrawing from the Peer Group, Kenneth H. Rubin, Julie C. Bowker, Matthew G. Barstead, & Robert J. Coplan IV. Dyads and Groups 18. Parent–Child Attachment and Peer Relations, Cathyrn Booth-LaForce, & Ashley M. Groh 19. Friendship in Childhood and Adolescence: Features, Effects, and Processes, Catherine L. Bagwell & William M. Bukowski 20. Differences and Similarities: The Dynamics of Same- and Other-Sex Peer Relationships, Carol Lynn Martin, Richard A. Fabes, & Laura D. Hanish 21. The Romantic Relationships of Youth, Wyndol Furman 22. Peer Acceptance, Peer Rejection, and Popularity: Social Cognitive and Behavioral Perspectives, Kristina L. McDonald & Steven R. Asher 23. Peer Influence, Brett Laursen 24. Intergroup Exclusion, Moral Judgments, and Social Cognition, Melanie Killen, Adam Rutland, Michael T. Rizzo, & Luke McGuire V. Diversity in Peer Experience 25. The Potential of Schools to Facilitate and Constrain Peer Relationships, Jaana Juvonen 26. Inequality and Neighborhood Effects on Peer Relations, Adrienne Nishina & Amy Bellmore 27. Social Media and Peer Relationships, Marion K. Underwood, B. Bradford Brown, & Samuel E. Ehrenreich 28. Culture and Peer Relationships, Xinyin Chen, Jinsol Lee, & Lingjun Chen 29. Gender and Peer Relationships, Amanda J. Rose & Rhiannon L. Smith 30. Race and Ethnicity in Peer Relations Research, Sandra Graham & Leslie Echols VI. Outcomes, Intervention, and Policy 31. Peer Status and Psychopathology, Mitchell J. Prinstein, Diana Rancourt, Caroline B. Adelman, Erica Ahlich, Jennifer Smith, & John D. Guerry 32. Peers, Academics and Teachers, Allison M. Ryan & Huiyoung Shin 33. Peer-Based Interventions for Behaviorally Inhibited, Socially Withdrawn, and Socially Anxious Children, Robert J. Coplan, Barry H. Schneider, Laura L. Ooi, & William E. Hipson 34. Youth Activity Participation: An Ecological Peer-Based Approach for Positive Youth Development, Linda Rose-Krasnor & Heather Ramey 35. Public Policy and Peer Relationships, Jennifer E. Lansford