Childhood Conduct Problems and Adult Sexist Attitudes: Indirect Associations Through Adolescent Peer Processes

ABSTRACT Sexist attitudes are linked with negative outcomes during adolescence, but research has not examined how modifiable risk factors such as conduct problems or social processes associated with conduct problems are linked with the development of these problematic gender attitudes. The present longitudinal study examined (a) the association between childhood conduct problems and the later endorsement of sexist attitudes, and (b) the mediating role of peer rejection and peer delinquency in adolescence in this association. Participants ( N = 564; 49.4% women) were drawn from a study oversampling children with conduct problems in elementary schools in Québec, Canada, of whom 58.3% met criteria at baseline (T1; M age = 8.43, SD = 0.93). Peer rejection was assessed in early adolescence (T2; M age = 13.27, SD = 0.95), peer delinquency in mid‐adolescence (T3; M age = 14.33, SD = 0.95), and benevolent and hostile sexism in early adulthood (T4; M age = 18.93, SD = 0.97). Childhood conduct problems were directly associated with higher levels of endorsement of both hostile and benevolent sexism. Mediation analyses also identified significant indirect associations through peer rejection and affiliation with delinquent peers, with distinct patterns across the two forms of sexism. These patterns of associations did not differ by gender. Findings underscore peer influence as a potential intervention target for preventing sexist attitudes in at‐risk youth.