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The Mediating Roles of Adolescent Disclosure and Parental Knowledge in the Association Between Parental Warmth and Delinquency Among Korean Adolescents

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between parental warmth and adolescent delinquency, the potential mediating roles of adolescent disclosure and parental knowledge, and gender differences in such association among Korean adolescents. We hypothesized that (1) parental warmth would be significantly and negatively associated with delinquency, (2) adolescent disclosure and parental knowledge would mediate the association between parental warmth and adolescent delinquency, and (3) the association between parental warmth and adolescent delinquency mediated through adolescent disclosure and parental knowledge would be stronger for adolescent girls than boys. Using a sample of 3125 Korean adolescents from nationally representative and longitudinal data (Korea Youth Panel Survey), results from path analyses demonstrated that findings were consistent with US samples, suggesting a negative association between parental warmth and adolescent delinquency. Further, when Korean adolescents perceived parents to be warmer, they were more likely to disclose personal information to their parents. In turn, higher levels of disclosure were associated with higher levels of parental knowledge about their adolescent children’s activities. Finally, tests of gender differences suggested that parental warmth was more closely associated with adolescent disclosure among girls than boys. Results supported a process model through which parents may shape adolescent children’s delinquency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Fort Valley State University, 216 Myers Hall, Fort Valley, GA, 31030-4313, USA

    Hye-Jung Yun

  2. Department of Family and Child Sciences, Florida State University, 225 Sandels Building, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-1491, USA

    Ming Cui & Bethany L. Blair

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  1. Hye-Jung Yun
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  2. Ming Cui
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Correspondence to Hye-Jung Yun.

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Yun, HJ., Cui, M. & Blair, B.L. The Mediating Roles of Adolescent Disclosure and Parental Knowledge in the Association Between Parental Warmth and Delinquency Among Korean Adolescents. J Child Fam Stud 25, 2395–2404 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-016-0425-6

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