ERIC Number: EJ890492
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Jun
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0003-1224
EISSN: N/A
Family and Religious Characteristics' Influence on Delinquency Trajectories from Adolescence to Young Adulthood
Petts, Richard J.
American Sociological Review, v74 n3 p465-483 Jun 2009
This study takes a life-course approach to examine whether family and religious characteristics influence individual-level delinquency trajectories from early adolescence through young adulthood. Based on data from the NLSY79, results suggest that residing with two parents deters youths from becoming delinquent and that supportive parenting practices reduce their likelihood of becoming involved in delinquent behavior early in adolescence. There is also evidence that family and religion interact to predict delinquency trajectories. Religion enhances the effect of parental affection in deterring delinquent behavior and mitigates the increased risk of high levels of delinquent behavior among youths in single-parent families. Moreover, the findings indicate that delinquency trajectories are not immutable; family transitions are associated with increases in delinquency, but religious participation throughout adolescence and marriage are associated with declines in delinquent behavior. Overall, results suggest that family and religious characteristics continually influence the extent to which youths commit delinquent acts. (Contains 19 footnotes, 4 tables, and 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Delinquency, Religion, Parenting Styles, Early Adolescents, Adolescents, Family Influence, Religious Factors, Young Adults, Age Differences, Family Characteristics, Adolescent Development, Place of Residence, Affective Behavior, Parents, Mothers, Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Gender Differences, Racial Differences
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: National Longitudinal Survey of Youth
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A