NCJ Number
222534
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2008 Pages: 101-131
Date Published
March 2008
Length
31 pages
Annotation
In order to test the validity of the self-control theory of delinquency across different socioeconomic strata, this study examined the relationships between family dynamics, self-control, and deviance among 3,764 Swiss boys and girls, some of whom were pursuing an apprenticeship (lower socioeconomic status) and some of whom were attending a teacher's college (higher socioeconomic status).
Abstract
The findings show that self-control predicted adolescent deviance in both groups, suggesting that factors other than socioeconomic status were linked to self-control. Measures of closeness and support between the youth and their parents were important in the development of self-control, and differences in these variables among the youth were not related to their socioeconomic status. Maternal monitoring was one of the most important in the successful development of self-control in adolescence. The study concluded, however, that family processes played a relatively modest role in the socialization of self-control in both socioeconomic groups. This is consistent with previous research conducted by Perrone et al. (2004) and Pratt et al. (2004), who suggested that factors other than parenting must also be important for the development of self-control in adolescents. The findings show the key role of self-control in determining deviance, but leave open the issue of what factors are involved in the development or lack of development of self-control. Socioeconomic status was determined by the education of the father and mother, work performed by the primary wage earner, and family income. Family structure and family processes were determined with questions about closeness with each parent, parental support, and parental monitoring. Deviance was measured with the 55-item Normative Deviance Scale. 1 figure, 7 tables, 91 references, and appendix