NCJ Number
224354
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 25 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2008 Pages: 544-569
Date Published
September 2008
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This work examined the association between parenting behaviors and child self-control, delinquent peer formation, and delinquency in a sample of twins.
Abstract
The results indicate that genetic influences and nonshared environmental influences account for variation in identified outcomes measured. The measures detailed were low self-control, delinquent peers, delinquent and criminal behavior, parental socialization variables, and control variables. The work assessed the association between parenting behaviors and child self-control, delinquent peer formation, and delinquency, as behavioral genetic findings continue to call into question the dominant role of parental influence. These findings are discussed as they relate to theorizing about the role and function of parenting in the etiology of unique traits and behaviors. Data were derived from utilizing a sample of twins from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), a longitudinal and nationally representative sample of American adolescents. The genetic subsample for this study consisted of 3,139 adolescent-sibling pairs, which included monozygotic (identical) twins, dizygotic (fraternal) twins, full siblings, half-siblings, and nonrelated youths. The analytic sample used in the study was restricted to the sample of monozygotic twins. Figure, tables, references, and appendix