School Connectedness and Delinquency: Examining Gender Differences in Protective Effects

• In Event: Understanding Larger Systems While Theorizing School Violence

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between school connectedness and delinquency among adolescents, with a particular focus on gender differences. Drawing on Hirschi’s (1969) control theory, this research explores how school connectedness influences delinquent behavior and whether this effect varies between male and female students. Using data from the 2022 Florida Youth and Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS), a negative binomial regression analysis was conducted to assess the impact of school connectedness on delinquency while controlling for key variables related to school and individual factors. The findings corroborate other studies that posit school connectedness is a significant protective factor against delinquency, as adolescents who feel more connected to their schools are less likely to engage in delinquent behavior. However, while delinquency rates are consistently higher for males, the mitigating effect of school connectedness is stronger for them than for females. These results suggest that while fostering school connectedness benefits all students, interventions targeting male students may have a particularly pronounced effect in reducing delinquency. This study contributes to the literature on gendered delinquency and highlights the importance of school-based interventions in promoting positive youth development.

Authors

• Greta Asay, Brigham Young University

• Melissa Jones, Brigham Young University