Family Structure, Self-control, and Childhood Delinquency

• In Event: The Influence of Family Structure and Support on Delinquency

Abstract

This study investigates how certain family transitions affect children differently with regards to delinquency. Prior research has established that there is a positive association between family structure and delinquency. However, prior research has failed to explain why this relationship exists. Hence, one of the goals of this study is to investigate if variables representing self-control can help to explain the association between family structure and offending. Another goal of this study is to extend prior research by using a multidimensional measure of family structure, self-reported delinquency data and a sample of children between the ages of 10 to 11. This study uses wave one of the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth to update our knowledge of the impact that broken homes can have on children’s engagement in delinquent activities. Results indicate that that family structure is a significant predictor of delinquency when controlling for parental characteristics. However, when the variables representing self-control, parental attachment and peer deviance are entered into the regression equation, the magnitude of the relationship between family structure and delinquency are rendered non-significant. Avenues for future research are discussed, including ways to investigate the effects of family disruption at different developmental periods.

Author

• Greggory J. Cullen, University of Guelph