Peer Versus Parental Factors: Sex Differences in Predicting Delinquency

• In Event: Peer and Gang Influences on Delinquency

Abstract

Researchers have focused on peer factors or parental factors predicting delinquency behavior separately. Few researchers have looked at both sets of factors in one study. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the role of parental and peer legitimacy as mediators between parental style and peer delinquency and delinquency for male and female adolescents. The data analyzed were three waves from a longitudinal study of the predictors of rule-violating behavior that included 257 male and 398 female adolescents. Among the parental factors, parental trust was a mediator between parental style and delinquency for males; while parental obligation was a mediator between parental style and delinquency for females. Among the peer factors, peer delinquency predicted delinquency for males; while peer obligation partially mediated between peer delinquency and delinquency for females. When both parental and peer factors were included, peer delinquency and parent trust predicted rule-violating behavior for males; while peer delinquency and parental obligation predicted delinquency for girls. The implications for reducing delinquency are discussed.

Author

• Ellen S. Cohn, University of New Hampshire