The intersection of social networks and individual identity in adolescent problem behavior: Pathways and ethnic differences

We provide a conceptual framework for considering how an individual’s identity is influenced by social groups and an empirical exploration of how identity is related to cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use. We report findings on e-cigarette use and cigarette smoking from studies of adolescents and young adults. Mediation analyses focused on (a) pathways from specific peer crowd membership to tobacco product use, and (b) self-esteem as a pathway...