A Model of Religiosity, Family Process, Self-control, and Delinquency in Adolescents

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Previous studies have examined a number of mechanisms through which religiosity might have an indirect influence on adolescents’ delinquency. However, these studies generally have assessed a single mechanism which limits our understanding of the actual relationship between religiosity and delinquency. Based on a structural equation modeling analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979, this study attempts to explore the multiple mechanisms (i.e., family processes and self-control) through which religiosity may affect adolescents’ delinquency. I also add to the study by investigating two different types of religiosity (i.e., parental and adolescents’ religiosity) to unmask the effects of varying levels of religiosity in future delinquency, and further explore their clearer and more specific pathways linking to delinquency. Specifically, I hypothesize that religiosity shapes family processes (i.e., parenting practices and parental relationship), which fosters or sustains youth self-control, and thus restrains delinquent behavior. Youth self-control mediates the effect of adolescents’ religiosity on delinquency. The relationship between parental religiosity and delinquency is mediated by the mechanisms of family processes.

Author

• Siying Guo, University of South Carolina