Abstract
Adolescence and young adulthood are periods of increased autonomy. Higher levels of autonomy could increase the opportunities
for risky behavior such as delinquency. During these periods of transition, the role of parental control becomes less clear.
Previous studies have demonstrated the association between parental control and adolescent delinquency, but few have extended
examination of such association into young adulthood. The purpose of the study is to examine the association between parental
control and delinquency and parental control in adolescence and young adult criminal behavior. We propose that, even though
adolescents seek autonomy during this stage, lack of parental control is positively associated with delinquency and has continued
influence in young adulthood. Using a national longitudinal dataset, we analyzed the relationship between parental control
and delinquency. Findings from regression analyses indicated that lack of parental control had a positive association with
delinquency both concurrently and longitudinally into young adulthood. When analyzing delinquency in young adulthood, females
reported a lower level of delinquency and younger age was associated with more delinquent behavior. Unexpectedly, parents’
college education was positively associated with delinquency in young adulthood. The findings suggest that parental control
is still influential through the period of adolescence and early parental control is still influential in young adulthood.
Ways to practice parental control and implications of results are further discussed.
for risky behavior such as delinquency. During these periods of transition, the role of parental control becomes less clear.
Previous studies have demonstrated the association between parental control and adolescent delinquency, but few have extended
examination of such association into young adulthood. The purpose of the study is to examine the association between parental
control and delinquency and parental control in adolescence and young adult criminal behavior. We propose that, even though
adolescents seek autonomy during this stage, lack of parental control is positively associated with delinquency and has continued
influence in young adulthood. Using a national longitudinal dataset, we analyzed the relationship between parental control
and delinquency. Findings from regression analyses indicated that lack of parental control had a positive association with
delinquency both concurrently and longitudinally into young adulthood. When analyzing delinquency in young adulthood, females
reported a lower level of delinquency and younger age was associated with more delinquent behavior. Unexpectedly, parents’
college education was positively associated with delinquency in young adulthood. The findings suggest that parental control
is still influential through the period of adolescence and early parental control is still influential in young adulthood.
Ways to practice parental control and implications of results are further discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10826-012-9641-x
- Authors
- DeAnna Harris-McKoy, Department of Family and Child Sciences, The Florida State University, 225 Sandels Building, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1491, USA
- Ming Cui, Department of Family and Child Sciences, The Florida State University, 225 Sandels Building, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1491, USA
- Journal Journal of Child and Family Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-2843
- Print ISSN 1062-1024