NCJ Number
199125
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2003 Pages: 115-128
Editor(s)
Daniel Offer
Date Published
April 2003
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Through the extension and replication of previous research, this study examined the unique importance of both the family and school domains in adolescent deviance.
Abstract
In an attempt to extend the understanding of the importance of family and school contexts in deviance of African-American and Caucasian youth in a number of ways, this study examined the importance of the family (closeness, monitoring, and conflict) and school (grades, homework time, educational aspirations, and commitment) domains on a sample of adolescent African-American and Caucasian youth. The study extended and replicated previous work by: (1) examining the importance of family processes; (2) examining the importance of school variables; (3) testing a predictive model of adolescent delinquency incorporating variables from both the family and school domains; (4) testing this predictive model for different forms of deviance ranging from less serious to more serious deviant behavior; and (5) comparing developmental processes. Data were collected from adolescents who attended a high school in the southeastern region of the United States with participants totally 920 students. Relatively few differences were found between the two groups on measures of deviance. From the family context, no differences were found by race on self-reported maternal closeness, monitoring, or conflict. However, in contrast Caucasian youth reported higher levels of closeness and monitoring by fathers than did African-American youth. Measures of the school context indicated consistent differences across three of the four measures. African-American youth reported spending more homework time and receiving lower grades, while Caucasian youth reported greater educational aspirations. The findings are consistent with the strain theory. The study adds to previous work suggesting that there are very small differences in the relationships between behavioral antecedents and developmental outcomes by racial and ethnic groups. In conclusion, the study provides evidence of the importance of both contexts which is consistent with ongoing prevention and intervention efforts. Study limitations are presented and discussed. Appendix A-B, figures, and references