NCJ Number
124427
Journal
Journal of Clinical Child Psychology Volume: 18 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1989) Pages: 242-246
Date Published
1989
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study examines the relationship between maternal neglect and important dimensions of adolescent delinquent behaviors including adolescent and sibling arrest rates, adolescent conduct problems, family interactions, and association with deviant peers. The sample of 48 families were divided into three groups: neglected-delinquent, delinquent, and control.
Abstract
The groups did not differ on demographic variables. All the adolescents were male, between 12 and 17 years old; 79 percent were black, 21 percent were white, 90 percent of the families had a lower socioeconomic status, and 71 percent were headed by single mothers. Data were collected via interviews and individual completion of the Unrevealed Differences Questionnaire; family interactions were measured by group completion of the URD. The results showed a significantly higher arrest rate for neglected-delinquent siblings, though there was no difference in the other arrest measures (adolescent/sibling seriousness, adolescent/sibling recidivism). Adolescents in the neglected-delinquent and delinquent groups showed more conduct problems, socialized aggression, and inadequacy-immaturity. Delinquent families had less positive interactions than the control families while neglected-delinquent families had less negative interaction than the control families. The findings indicate that maternal neglect impacted more on the family system than the variables linked with delinquency per se. The findings do not indicate that delinquents with histories of neglect present more behavioral difficulties than other delinquents. While the paths to delinquency might vary as a function of neglect, the end products are functionally equivalent. 1 table, 28 references. (Author abstract modified)