NCJ Number
169540
Journal
Journal of Adolescence Volume: 19 Issue: 6 Dated: (December 1996) Pages: 557-568
Date Published
1996
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examines the extent to which family characteristics and personality factors shape self-reported delinquent behaviors among teenagers.
Abstract
The study investigated the links between perceived family relationships, parental discipline styles, locus of control, self-esteem and self-reported delinquency among 177 Australian teenagers. The prediction that locus of control and self-esteem would mediate the effects of family process on delinquency was tested using structural equation modeling. Although there appeared to be a good fit between the data and the proposed model, the amount of variance explained by the predictor variables was not large. Among females, the best predictor of low levels of self-reported delinquency was an inductive discipline style, while for males high levels of self-reported delinquency were best predicted by a punitive discipline style. Among males, positive family relations was a significant predictor of high self-esteem. No mediating effects of self-esteem and locus of control were observed. The article discusses findings with reference to previous research and notes some implications for clinical practice. Tables, figures, references