The relationship between mental health of adolescents and delinquency

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Previous research has found an association between juvenile mental health and delinquency (Neighbors et al. 1992; Kofler et al. 2011. Furthermore, the criminological literature has established a link between collective efficacy and a reduction in crime and delinquency (Sampson et al 1997; Simons et al. 2005). This research uses the Fragile Families data to examine the relationship between mental health of adolescents and delinquency while testing the mediating relationship of collective efficacy. We hypothesize that collective efficacy reduces the effects of depression and anxiety on delinquency.

Author

• Rachel Cullity, Bridgewater State University