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The Longitudinal Relationship Between Peer Violence and Popularity and Delinquency in Adolescent Boys: Examining Effects by Family Functioning

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Abstract

Mapping the relationship of peer influences and parental/family characteristics on delinquency can help expand the understanding of findings that show an interdependence between peer and family predictors. This study explored the longitudinal relationship between two characteristics of peer relationships (violence and perceived popularity) with subsequent individual delinquency and the moderating role of family characteristics (cohesion and parental monitoring) using data from the Chicago Youth Development Study. Participants were 364 inner-city residing adolescent boys (54 % African American; 40 % Hispanic). After controlling for the effects of age and ethnicity, peer violence is positively related to boys’ delinquency. The effect of popularity depends on parental monitoring, such that the relationship between popularity and delinquency is positive when parental monitoring is low, but there is no relationship when parental monitoring is high. Furthermore, parental monitoring contributes to the relationship between peer violence and delinquency such that there is a stronger relationship when parental monitoring is low. Additionally, there is a stronger relationship between peer violence and delinquency for boys from high cohesive families. Findings point to the value of attention to multiple aspects of peer and family relationships in explaining and intervening in the risk for delinquency. Furthermore, findings indicate the importance of family-focused interventions in preventing delinquency.

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Acknowledgments

AKH conceived of the study, performed statistical analyses, and drafted the manuscript. MID, NT, and AA participated in the design and interpretation of the analyses; PHT conceived of the study, participated in the interpretation of the analyses and helped to draft and edit the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Curry School of Education, University of Virginia, PO Box 400277, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA

    Angela K. Henneberger, Myles I. Durkee, Nancy Truong, Avis Atkins & Patrick H. Tolan

Authors
  1. Angela K. Henneberger
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  2. Myles I. Durkee
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  3. Nancy Truong
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  4. Avis Atkins
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  5. Patrick H. Tolan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Angela K. Henneberger.

Appendix: Items on the Self-Report Delinquency Scale

Appendix: Items on the Self-Report Delinquency Scale

During the last year, have you ever:

  1. 1.

    …lied about your age to get into someplace or to buy something, for example, lying about your age to get into a bar or to buy alcohol?

  2. 2.

    …carried a hidden weapon?

  3. 3.

    …been loud, rowdy, or unruly in a public place so that people complained about it or you got in trouble?

  4. 4.

    …made obscene telephone calls, such as calling someone and saying dirty things?

  5. 5.

    …been drunk in a public place?

  6. 6.

    …purposely damaged or destroyed property that did not belong to you (for example, breaking, cutting or marking up something)?

  7. 7.

    …purposely set fire to a house, building, car or other property or tried to do so?

  8. 8.

    …broken city curfew laws (that is, been in a public place including out in the street without a parent or adult after curfew)?

  9. 9.

    …avoided paying for things such as movies, bus or subway rides, food, or computer services?

  10. 10.

    …gone into or tried to go into a building to steal something?

  11. 11.

    …stolen or tried to steal money or things worth $5 or less?

  12. 12.

    …stolen or tried to steal money or things worth between $5 and $100?

  13. 13.

    …stolen or tried to steal money or something worth $100 or more?

  14. 14.

    …taken something from a store without paying for it (including events you have already told me about)?

  15. 15.

    …snatched someone’s purse or wallet or picked someone’s pocket?

  16. 16.

    …knowingly bought, sold, or held stolen goods or tried to do any of these things?

  17. 17.

    …stolen or tried to steal a motor vehicle such as a car or motorcyle?

  18. 18.

    …used checks illegally or used a slug or fake money to pay for something?

  19. 19.

    …attacked someone with a weapon or with the idea of seriously hurting or killing them?

  20. 20.

    …hit someone with the idea of hurting them (other than the events you just mentioned)?

  21. 21.

    …used a weapon, force, or strongarm methods to get money or things from people?

  22. 22.

    …thrown objects such as rocks or bottles at people (other than events you have already mentioned)?

  23. 23.

    …forged or copied someone else’s signature on a check or legal document without their permission?

  24. 24.

    …embezzled money, that is used money or funds entrusted to your care for some purpose other than that intended?

  25. 25.

    …made fraudulent insurance claims, that is falsified or inflated medical bills and property or automobile repair or replacement costs?

  26. 26.

    …intentionally underreported money earned or received, overestimated expenses or losses, or otherwise cheated on your state or federal income taxes?

  27. 27.

    …stolen money, goods, or property from the place where you work?

  28. 28.

    …been paid for having sexual relations with someone?

  29. 29.

    …physically hurt or threatened to hurt someone to get them to have sex with you?

  30. 30.

    …had or tried to have sexual relations with someone against their will (other than those events you just mentioned)?

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Henneberger, A.K., Durkee, M.I., Truong, N. et al. The Longitudinal Relationship Between Peer Violence and Popularity and Delinquency in Adolescent Boys: Examining Effects by Family Functioning. J Youth Adolescence 42, 1651–1660 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-012-9859-3

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