Parental Attachment during Late Adolescence and Future Involvement in Criminality

• In Event: Family, Peers, and Neighborhood Effects on Antisocial Outcomes

Abstract

Life-course criminology has devoted much attention to the relationship between (in)effective child-rearing during early childhood and future involvement in deviant behaviors. Developmental theories, such as social learning theory and social bonds theory, argue that effective parenting and/or quality attachment to caregivers in childhood provide a strong foundation for avoiding antisocial behavior during adolescence. Yet what remains inconclusive is how parental attachment during middle and late adolescence might impact criminal behavior during adulthood. Intimate partner violence may be especially strongly affected, because low bonding and family issues during late adolescence might result in low bonding in future relationships. Using a nationally representative sample of U.S. youth, I explore the impact of parental attachment during late-stage adolescence on the perpetration of partner violence during adulthood. Findings as well as further research and policy implications will be discussed. The study sheds light on whether high-quality parent-child bonding during middle and late adolescence can prevent criminal outcomes.

Author

• Madison Brinson, Florida State University