Abstract
Adolescents' sense of security is closely related to their ecological background. Previous studies have shown that single or minority risk factors in peer risk are crucial in adolescents' sense of security. Nevertheless, research into the collective influence of peer-related risk factors on a the sense of security among adolescents is scarce. Furthermore, the moderated mediation processes between cumulative peer risk and a sense of security in adolescents are poorly understood. Therefore, using a cumulative risk model, the present study examined the impact of cumulative peer risk on adolescents' sense of security. Furthermore, based on self-system theory and stress-buffering theory, we examined whether self-efficacy mediated the relationship between cumulative peer risk and adolescents' sense of security and whether perceived social support moderated the adverse effect of cumulative peer risk on adolescents' sense of security. A total of 3037 adolescents (mean age = 14.98 years, SD = 1.72) from three middle schools and two high schools in Henan province, China participated in this study. They completed a set of surveys evaluating demographic characteristics, peer-related risk factors (including peer rejection, peer alienation, peer acceptance, and peer support), self-efficacy, perceived social support, and adolescents' sense of security. Mediation analysis indicated that (a) cumulative peer risk significantly negatively predicted adolescents' sense of security; (b) cumulative peer risk significantly negatively predicted self-efficacy, which in turn reduced adolescents' sense of security; and moderated mediation analysis further demonstrated (c) That the first and second half of the mediation path were moderated differently by perceived social support. High perceived social support could enhance the positive effect of self-efficacy on adolescents' sense of security, but the protective role of perceived social support in adolescents' sense of security is limited, especially when adolescents are exposed to high cumulative peer risk. Taken together, the present study is the first to demonstrate the detrimental impact of cumulative peer risk on adolescents' sense of security, as well as the mediating role of self-efficacy and the moderating role of perceived social support. In addition, we discussed the implications of our findings on improving adolescents' sense of security.