DELINQUENCY
Berrien, J. and C. Winship. **. “Should We Have Faith in Churches? The Ten-Point Coalition's Effect on Boston's Youth Violence.” in Managing Youth Violence, edited by G. Katzmann. Washington, DC: Brookings Institute Press.
Regnerus, Mark D. 2025a. “Linking Lives, Faith, and Behavior: An Intergenerational Model of Religious Influence on Adolescent Delinquency.” Unpublished Paper: UNC, Chapel Hill, Carolina Population Center.
I propose and test an
intergenerational model of the influence of religious affiliation and practice
on adolescent delinquency. Research on
religion and delinquency has generally concluded that only minor forms of
deviance are affected by religious commitments. This study links parental religious identity and behavior to the
serious delinquency of their teenage children both directly and indirectly, and
accounts for a baseline influence as well as change. The results suggest that parental religiosity indirectly protective
against delinquency, and may aggravate delinquency in boys. Parents' conservative Protestant affiliation
displays a reverse pattern: negative direct effects on delinquency, but little
indirect influence. Group analysis of
the model indicates that parental religious influence was more effective among
girls than boys, and among older adolescents.
[Source: AU]
Regnerus, Mark D. 2025b. “Moral Communities and Adolescent Delinquency: Religious Contexts and Community Social Control.” Unpublished Paper: UNC - Chapel Hill, Carolina Population Center.
I propose and test an
expanded version of the "moral communities" thesis of religion and
adolescent delinquency. The thesis
suggests that religion, when understood as a group property, is linked
significantly with lower crime and delinquency, and that only under conditions
of high group religiosity will an individual's own religiosity constrain
delinquent behavior. Employing
multilevel regression models, I test this using data from the National
Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.
While individual effects remain strongest, conservative Protestant
homogeneity (market share or concentration) in both counties and schools
corresponds with lower delinquency counts as well as interacts with their
individual-level counterparts. I
exploring how such communities influence individual behavior, and conclude with
a call for contemporary social disorganization theory to account for religion
as an important cultural influence.
[Source: AU]
Lindsey, Elizabeth W., P. David Kurtz, Sara Jarvis, Nancy R. Williams, and Larry Nackerud. 2025. “How Runaway and Homeless Youth Navigate Troubled Waters: Personal Strengths and Resources.” Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal vol. 17, pp. 115-140.
Abstract: Little attention
has been paid to how runaway or homeless adolescents are able to make
successful transitions into adulthood. This article reports on partial findings
from an exploratory study of the research question, "How do former runaway
and homeless adolescents navigate the troubled waters of leaving home, living
in high-risk environments, and engaging in dangerous behaviors, to make
successful developmental transitions into young adulthood?" This
qualitative study involved interviews with 12 former runaway or homeless youth
(aged 18-25 yrs). All youth had stayed in a youth shelter, group home, or other
alternative living arrangements as an adolescent. Data were analyzed using the
constant comparative method. Findings related to the personal strengths and
resources that enabled youth to make successful transitions: learning new
attitudes and behaviors, personal attributes, and spirituality. Recommendations
for program development and intervention with homeless or at-risk youth are
discussed. [Source: PI]
Burke, Alison L. 1999. “Religion as Family Social Capital: Family Risk, Religiosity and Adolescent Problem Behavior.” Paper presented at American Sociological Association (ASA), 1999.
Abstract: Examines risk
& protective factors & their role in predicting problem behavior among
adolescents, using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent
Health (Add Health), Wave I, 1994-1996. In general, the model adequately
predicts problem behavior: large, direct effects of religiosity on problem
behavior were found. Overall, the protective factors do not mediate the effects
of family structure on deviant behavior, yet there are some small mediating
effects of the saliency of religion. The applicability of a risk &
protective factors model & limitations of the study are discussed. The
results suggest that it is important to consider the effect of religion on the
lives of adolescents. [Source: SA]
Gilyard, Freddie Harriett Glover. 1999. “The Competition between Gangs and Schools.” Ed.d. Thesis, The Fielding Institute.
Abstract: The purpose of
this research was to examine gangs in a southeastern city in the United Sates
and to cull the systemic indicators of gang culture from community
stakeholders. The participants involved in the research were youth, parents,
and professionals. The literature review suggested that the term
"gang" has different meanings depending on the places the gangs exist
(Hagedorn & Macon, 1998). Gangs have been a part of America's history for
most of its existence (Brantley & DiRosa, 1994). The historical development
of gangs in America was profiled in the works of Willwerth (1991) and The
National Safety and Training Institute (1996) which provided the profile of the
gang-involved youth. Knox (1994) said that gangs form along racial and ethnic
lines with identifiable leadership models. Gaustad (1991) suggested that gangs
play a major role in the spread of violence in schools. The National Institute
of Justice (1998) suggested that youth join gangs to satisfy basic needs unmet
by the family. Gang problems have increased in public school (Bastian &
Taylor, 1991) and are influenced by religious, political and utilitarian agendas
(Parkay, 1995). This research was a case study. Using an interview protocol,
youth, parents, and professionals were asked to respond to questions and
statements relating to the behavior and attitude of gangs as they relate to
family, community, and school life. The work of Bogdan and Bilken (1982) and
Gay (1987) developed the framework for the qualitative study. It was found that
the intentions of gangs and schools conflict. The results were strong enough
that the researcher could produce recommendations, for eliminating the
competition between gangs and schools as they relate to family, community, and
schools. Research implications suggested that the family establishes the
culture of gangs. Home life creates the values, communication styles, and
discipline techniques that gang members take into the community and then into
school. Schools have to absorb the experiences that students have had with
gangs, divert the objectionable behaviors of gang members, and acculturate the
attitudes they have about learning into an effective school curriculum. [Source: DA]
Harris, Mark Allen. 1999. “Neighborhood Structure, Religious Involvement, and Individual Delinquency: Context and Buffering Hypothesis.” Ph.d. Thesis, The Ohio State University.
Abstract: According to
community scholars, detrimental neighborhood characteristics create an
environment that is conducive to individual delinquency. At the same time
social control and learning perspectives emphasize that individual factors are
important to delinquency. Recent multi-level criminological theory suggests
that both levels are important; the impact of neighborhood and individual
factors on delinquency depend on one another (i.e., cross-level interactions).
This argument implies that neighborhood factors may be more relevant to
delinquency for some youth than others. Stated differently, some
individual-level factors likely buffer the impact of neighborhood
characteristics on delinquency. Unfortunately, extant multi-level studies of
individual delinquency rarely consider cross-level interactions. In light of
the lack of adequate empirical attention to the notion of multi-level models,
the most general goal of this dissertation is determine whether the likelihood
of delinquent behavior stems from both contextual and individual sources. A
major part of this effort will be to consider cross-level interactions.
Specifically, this dissertation seeks to determine whether adolescent religious
involvement reduces the influence of neighborhood characteristics on
delinquency, and whether affiliation with a “strict” denomination
heightens this buffering capacity. To assess these hypotheses, this
dissertation examines models of delinquency which include interactions among
neighborhood characteristics, individual religious involvement, and strict
denominational affiliation. Substantively, the findings demonstrate that low
neighborhood socioeconomic status increases the likelihood of violence.
Cross-level interactions demonstrate that this effect is buffered by religious
involvement. However, strict denominational affiliation does not augment this
effect. An additional interesting finding is that adolescents in more
advantaged economic areas have a higher likelihood of common property
delinquency and a higher frequency of minor drug use. Interestingly,
affiliation with a strict denomination negates this effect for drug use. [Source: DA]
Kunitz, S. J., K. R. Gabriel, J. E. Levy, E. Henderson, K. Lampert, J. McCloskey, G. Quintero, S. Russell, and A. Vince. 1999. “Risk Factors for Conduct Disorder among Navajo Indian Men and Women.” Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology vol. 34, pp. 180-189.
Abstract: Objectives: To
describe the risk factors for conduct disorder before age 15 among Navajo
Indians. Methods. The study was based on a survey of a stratified random sample
of adult Navajo Indians between the ages of 21 and 65 living on and adjacent to
two different areas of the Navajo Reservation. There were 531 male and 203
female respondents. The average age (SD) of the men was 38.7 (10.5) years and
of the women 35.5 (9.0) years. Conduct disorder was diagnosed retrospectively
using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule first developed for the Epidemiological
Catchment Area study. The responses were combined into a continuous scale.
Results: Significant risk factors for increased scores on the conduct disorder
scale were: histories of physical and sexual abuse in childhood; abusive
maternal drinking; a small number of households per camp; younger age; and
being male rather than female. Measures of social status and religion in which
subjects were raised were not significant. Conclusions: Many of the risk
factors that are associated with conduct disorder in other populations are also
risk factors in the Navajo population. There is suggestive evidence that some
of these risk factors have become more common since World War II, raising the
possibility that conduct disorder has become more prevalent, as is thought to
be the case nationwide. [Source: SC]
Overstreet, S. and S. Braun. 1999. “A Preliminary Examination of the Relationship between Exposure to Community Violence and Academic Functioning.” School Psychology Quarterly vol. 14, pp. 380-396.
Abstract: This article
provides a preliminary examination of the relationship between exposure to
community violence and academic functioning in a group of 45 African American
children (mean age = 12.8 years) living in an impoverished urban environment.
In addition, the role of family achievement expectations and religion, two
previously identified family compensatory factors related to academic
resilience, were evaluated as moderators of the relationship between community
violence and academic functioning. Results suggested that exposure to community
violence had only a weak relationship with academic functioning in general, but
that relationship was intensified under certain circumstances. Significant
interactions between exposure to community violence, and both family
achievement orientation and religious emphasis suggest that exposure to
community violence may alter the role of previously identified compensatory
factors. Children who perceived very high achievement expectations and a very
strong moral-religious emphasis were most at risk for poor academic functioning
as exposure to community violence increased, although children from these types
of families displayed the highest academic functioning at lower levels of
community violence exposure. [Source:
SC]
Rodell, Daniel E. and Brent B. Benda. 1999. “Alcohol and Crime among Religious Youth.” Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly vol. 17, pp. 53-66.
Abstract: Examined the
relationship between alcohol and crime among religious youth by studying 528
adolescents (aged 12-18 yrs) who regularly attend churches affiliated with
primary Protestant denominations in a Midwestern state. The purpose of this
study was to determine if the delinquency syndrome argument has more validity
in a religious sample than noted in the general population of youth. Different
scales were used to measure the following concepts: attachment, parental
supervision, beliefs, self-esteem, parental abuse, religiosity, peer
association, modeling, rewards, excuses, crime, and alcohol use. The authors conclude
that all theoretical factors investigated were correlated significantly with
both alcohol use and criminal activity, however, differences in correlations
between theoretical factors and alcohol use or crime show that beliefs,
parental abuse, and peer association are more highly correlated with crime. The
findings support the delinquency syndrome argument in this sample of religious
youth, and show that religiosity is relevant to alcohol use and not to
crime. [Source: PI]
Schmit, Harvey Michael. 1999. “The Influence of Home, Friends, School and Church on the Development of Values and Behavior in Adolescence among Lutheran School Students.” Thesis, University of Michigan.
Abstract: The role of four
supportive contexts in predicting reported values and problem behavior among
adolescents in Lutheran schools was investigated. The sample of students in
Lutheran schools (N = 7858) was selected from Search Institute's 1990-94
national research program. Predictors included gender, ethnicity, grade and
level of parent education, as well as four contextual variables. These
included: (1) care and support in the home context, (2) modeling in the friend
context, (3) support and encouragement from teachers in the school context, and
(4) involvement in the church context. Dependent variables included values
(defined as concern for others and their welfare), and problem behaviors
involving the use of soft drugs, engaging in violence, and the use of hard
drugs. All constructs were measured using self report items on a questionnaire.
Regression analysis indicated that involvement and support in the four contexts
mediated the effects of the demographic variables on values and problem
behavior. The friend context had the strongest and most positive relation with
the outcomes, with less problem behavior and more positive values related to
perceptions of a positive friend context. Cross product interaction terms in
the regression equations revealed that there were some interactions between
contexts of the home or church context was weak when the friend context was
stronger. Results are discussed in terms of current theory, particularly
regarding the role of demographic variables, the function of supportive
contexts, and implications for Lutheran schools. [Source: PI]
Stafford, Tim. 1999. “The Criminologist Who Discovered Churches: Political Scientist John Dilulio Followed the Data to See What Would Save America's Urban Youth.” Christianity Today vol. 43, pp. 34-39.
Zacharioudakis, Manos Antonis. 1999. “Problem Behaviors of Greek-American Adolescents: The Relationship of Ethnic Identification to Risks and Protective Factors.” Ph.d. Thesis, St. John's University (New York).
Abstract:In a
cross-sectional study of 257 Greek-American (GA) adolescents from across the US
(ages 16-19, 72% female, 93% USA born) the incidence and
psychosocial corrlates of problem behaviors (PB) (i.e. smoking, drinking,
marijuana, heavy drugs, sexual intercourse, deviant behaviors) were explored.
Jessor and Jessor's Problem Behavior Theory's (PBT) generalizability in this
population were examined. Differences in PB incidence, risks, and predictors,
explored through correlational and multiple regression analyses, across GA
ethnic identification, gender, and school status (i.e. high school-college)
were found. The findings generally supported PBT. Strong positive
intercorrelations among all PB, all (but one) positive intercorrelations among
prosocial behavior, and all negative correlations of PB with prosocial
behavior, and all negative correlations of PB with prosocial behaviors were
documented, as hypothesized. The "one latent factor of general
deviance" hypothesis found support for males, but not for females or the
total sample. Higher Greek-identified youth showed higher drinking, smoking,
and deviance, and lower marijuana/drug use and sexual experience scores,
compared to lower Greek-identified youth, but these differences were due to SES
differences and disappeared when SES factors were partialled out. Family
cohesiveness showed protective main
effects for most PB but no interaction with ethnicity effects. Family adaptability failed to show any
significant effects. Significant gender differences were found: males showed
higher marijuana, alcohol use, deviance scores, and sexual promiscuity and less
diet/laxative pill use that females (no smoking or heavier drug use gender
differences were found). Females showe higher levels of religiosity, stressful
events and psychopathology (i.e. anxiety and general symptomatology, but not
depression). College students showed higher scores for most PB (except heavy
drugs or deviance). Youth from non-intact parental marriages showed
significantly higher levels of all PB while intact family incidence showed a
positive correlation to Greek ethnic identity. In predicting the total sample's
PBindex, in decreasing order, friends' regular engagement In
smoking/drinking/marjuana use/sex, time going to bed on weekends, stressful life
events, relative parent-friend influence, non-acceptance of premarital sex by
youth, intolerance of deviance, parental approval of PB, and age, were the
significant predictors. Significant differences in predictors were found among
ethnic, gender, and college-status subgroups (e.g. a high contribution of PBT
"personality" variables only for high Greek identifiers, of family
cohesion for females, and of "perceived environment" factors--i.e.
friends models and parental
controls--for males). [Source: DA]
Chard -Wierschem, Deborah Jo. 1998. “In Pursuit of the "True" Relationship: A Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Religiosity on Delinquency and Substance Abuse.” Ph.d. Thesis, State University of New York At Albany.
Abstract: The long held
notion that religious beliefs and practices deter crime and deviance has been
embraced by scholars as well as society in general. Yet, studies examining the
relationship between religion and deviance have yielded little insight. Past
research on the religiosity-delinquency relationship has been severely
criticized for lack of theory, poor operationalization of religious beliefs and
behavior, inadequate statistical analyses and in general, has been frustrated
by many contradictory findings. This study addresses these criticisms by
placing the religion-delinquency relationship within the framework of an
elaborated social control theory and proposes to test this theory using
longitudinal data from the Rochester Youth Development Study. Results from the
longitudinal analysis suggest that religiosity does indeed have an effect on
both delinquency and drug use: religious youth are less likely to engage in
delinquency or drug use than non- religious or less religious youth. However,
most of the effect of religiosity on delinquency and substance use is indirect
through other model variables, in particular, through conventional values,
delinquent peers and delinquent values. These relationships were fairly
consistent across three different time periods, suggesting that although the
quantity or quality of religiosity may change as a youth matures, the basic
manner in which religiosity operates in deterring delinquent behavior remains
relatively consistent. Parent religiosity was also found to be strongly related
to youth religiosity and to increased educational commitment. The main
theoretical model was also tested for three denominational categories of youth
(Catholic, Protestant and Non-Denominational Christian) and for a sample of
youth who said they did not believe in a particular religion. Although sample
sizes were relatively small, differences in the way in which religiosity did
(or did not) effect delinquency and substance use were observed. Finally,
reciprocal relationships between youth religiosity, delinquent peers, delinquent
values and delinquency were also explored. More evidence exists to indicate
that youth religiosity decreases delinquency and substance use rather than the
reverse. Policy implications and suggestions for further research are also
discussed. [Source: DA]
Donohue, B., V. B. Van Hasselt, M. Hersen, and S. Perrin. 1998. “Role-Play Assessment of Social Skills in Conduct Disordered and Substance Abusing Adolescents: An Empirical Review.” Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse vol. 8, pp. 1-28.
Abstract: An integration and
critical examination of studies that have evaluated social skill functioning in
delinquent and substance abusing youth utilizing role-pray assessment is
warranted. Hence, the purpose of this paper is threefold: (a) to delineate the
often misunderstood term "social skill," (b) to describe role-play
assessment, the most commonly utilized method to evaluate social skill
functioning and, (c) to critically examine studies investigating social skills
of conduct disordered and substance abusing adolescents. [Source: SC]
Fisher, Judith, Hansoo Kim, and Sonja Choi Lee. 1998. “Stability of Religious Orientation and Academic Dishonesty.” Journal of Research on Christian Education vol. 7, pp. 55-66 bibl.
Abstract: A study
investigated the probable influence of individual religiosity on academic
cheating. Data were obtained from a group of Seventh-day Adventist youth in
grades 6-12. Specifically, the study examined the relationship between
students' religious experience or religious activities and academic honesty,
the religious variables that influence academic honesty, and the correlation
between the stability of religious orientation and academic honesty. The
results revealed that although religious beliefs may result in the adoption of
religious behaviors, such as church attendance, personal Bible study, or
dedicated time for prayer, these behaviors do not appear to have a direct
impact on academic honesty. The implications of the results are discussed. [Source: EA]
Hughes, Jean Susan. 1998. “The Relationship of Leisure Lifestyle to Selected Risk Behaviors of Adolescents.” Ed.d Thesis, University of Arkansas.
Abstract: Currently, there
is a need to develop holistic models that address the multidimensional,
psychosocial determinants of adolescent risk behavior. Approximately 40% of an
adolescent's waking hours are unstructured, unsupervised discretionary time.
This study surveyed 114 students in an alternative high school program. A risk
behavior index was developed that was a composite measure of the incidence and
severity of adolescent pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, substance use,
undereducation, and stress. Using simultaneous regression, the risk index was
examined in relation to (1) selected leisure variables of intrinsic leisure
motivation, leisure constraints, leisure satisfaction and leisure interests;
(2) selected social variables of gender, age, employment status of mother,
income, number of adults in the household, relationship with parents, ruralness
and number of siblings; (3) selected personal variables of school discipline
problems, grade point average, absences, employment status of subject, and
weekend curfew; and (4) selected group belonging variables of gang membership
church membership, school athletics, school club, youth group, and community
recreation agency. The leisure related measures used the intrinsic leisure
motivation scale of Weissinger and Bandalos (1995), the leisure constraint
scale of Raymore, Godbey, Crawford, and von Eye (1993), the leisure
satisfaction scale of Ragheb and Beard (1980), and the leisure interest scale
of Beard and Ragheb (1992). The results showed a negative relationship of the
risk index to intrapersonal constraints, outdoor leisure interests and
belonging to a church. There was a significant positive relationship between
the risk index and belonging to a gang, working, problems at school and grade
point average. None of the social variables were related to risk behavior. The
significance of the study is the development of a risk index as a composite
score. The study indicates a need to measure adolescent interests in order to
meet their needs and create more involvement in structured settings. [Source: PI]
James, Marian Dorothy. 1998. “Factors That Impact Adolescent Weapon Carrying and Violent Behaviors.” Ph.d. Thesis, University of Maryland College Park.
Abstract: The purpose of
this study was to determine which resiliency and risk factors appeared to predict
adolescent involvement in weapon carrying and violent behaviors. To determine
the level of resiliency, exposure to risk and participation in violent
behaviors, a 72 item Risk and Resiliency Questionnaire (RRQ) was administered
to a west coast sample of detention center youth (n = 93). The different
sections of the RRQ measured the following: (1) respondent's behavioral risk
status; (2) exposure to risk factors; (3) resiliency; and (4) sociodemographic
variables. Study results demonstrated that the resiliency variables
Expectation, Hope, Empathy, Prosocial behaviors, Academic achievement and
Religious attendance were not age or race specific. Gender could not be
examined due to the small percentage (11.2%) of females. Three items from the
Exposure to Risk Subscale, number of stabbings witnessed, frequency of
witnessing neighborhood gang activity and frequency of witnessing people
selling drugs were significant predictors of weapon carrying behavior. The
combination of the 3 items accounted for 35% of the variance in the sample.
Involvement in violent behavior was significantly predicted by two items from
the Exposure to Risk Subscale, frequency witnessed others and friends fighting
and number of stabbings witnessed. Forty-four percent of the variance in the
model was accounted for by these two variables. Seven statistical models were
built to predict involvement in weapon carrying and violent behaviors from risk
and resiliency factors. Alcohol consumption increased the likelihood that a
youth would carry a knife. Physical fighting and gang membership were
significant predictors of youth who had carried a gun. Low expectations and
gang membership predicted the likelihood of shooting a gun at another person.
Three predictor variables (carried a gun, sold drugs and carried an object to
be used as a weapon) were found to significantly increase the likelihood of
participation in aggravated assault.
[Source: DA]
Josephson, Michael and Rosa Maulini. 1998. “1998 Report Card on the Ethics of American Youth.” Marina del Rey, CA: Josephson Institute of Ethics.
Reports the results of a
national survey of the ethics of American young people. More than 20,000 youth from schools across
the nation were interviewed about issues pertaining to lying, cheating and
stealing. According to Michael
Josephson, "this report card shows that the hole in our moral ozone is
getting bigger." Results indicate
that the percentage of high schoolers who admit to stealing from a store is on
the rise. Similarly, the percent of
high school students who say they cheated on an exam rose from 64% to 70%
between 1996 and 1998. Another major
finding is a significant increase in the percentage of students who lie to
their parents or would be willing to lie to get a good job. [Source: AU]
Mason, Henry L. 1998. “A Counseling Intervention Model for Ministry to African American Male Juvenile Offenders: Ages 10-17.” Thesis, United Theological Seminary.
Abstract: This project
proposes and designs a model of counseling ministry for African American
juvenile offenders, testing it with 12 young people between the ages of 10 and
17. Through biblical teaching, counseling, and prayer, these young people
experience rehabilitation and healing on different levels. Future efforts will
involve family members with the juveniles enrolled in the program. [Source: RI]
McCubbin, Hamilton I., Wm Michael Fleming, Anne I. Thompson, Paul Neitman, Kelly M. Elver, and Sue Ann Savas. 1998. “Resiliency and Coping in "at Risk" African-American Youth and Their Families.” Pp. 287-328 in Resiliency in African-American Families. Resiliency in Families Series, Vol. 3, edited by Hamilton I. McCubbin and Elizabeth A. Thompson. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Inc.
Abstract: (from the chapter)
Examined the relative importance of both youth coping and family coping
repertoires as predictors of youth offenders' ability to recover from
adversity. 821 African-American youth (abused, neglected, or adjudicated
delinquents) in Boysville of Michigan completed a youth coping index and their
parents completed a family coping index. It is noted that positive changes in
youth coping efforts directed at spiritual and personal development and
negative changes (reduction) in youth coping efforts directed at incendiary
communication play an important part in predicting successful completion of the
Boysville program and successful post-treatment adaptation 12 mo later. When
both changes in youth and family coping are considered, the highest accuracy in
predicting successful and unsuccessful program completion, post-program
adaptation at 3 mo, and post-program adaptation at 12 mo. [Source: PI]
McCurrie, Thomas F. 1998. “White Racist Extremist Gang Members: A Behavioral Profile.” Journal of Gang Research vol. 5, pp. 51-60.
Abstract: Studied 82 hard
core White racist extremist gang members, including members of the Aryan
Nation, Aryan Youth Movement, Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis, skinhead groups, White
power groups, and motorcycle gangs. Violent crimes accounted for 70.9% of known
offenses committed by the gang members. Profiles outlined for the gang members
include school/education, sexual, family background, religious, drug
involvement, gang involvement, and gang quitting. Gang organization,
correctional behavior, and prosecution impact profiles are also summarized, and
recommendations included for those concerned about gangs and hate groups. [Source: PI]
Scharf, Alice Anne. 1998. “Environmental Stress, Potential Protective Factors, and Adolescent Risk-Taking.” Ph.d. Thesis, Fordham University.
Abstract: Recent research
has examined the impact of various risk and protective factors on adolescent
risk-taking behaviors; however these studies have been narrowly focused and
often included aggregated indices measuring involvement in several behaviors.
The present study examined contributions of life event stress and daily hassles
as risk factors and religiosity and attitudinal intolerance for deviance as
protective factors for five separate behaviors including: adolescent alcohol
use, marijuana use, delinquent behaviors, risky sexual behaviors, and the
potential for dropping out of school. Participants included 201 urban and
mostly minority high school students from all four grades. Results from
simultaneous regression analyses demonstrated the following eight significant
interactions: life events and attitudinal intolerance for deviance, daily
hassles and attitudinal intolerance for deviance, and life events and extrinsic
religiosity for alcohol use; life events and extrinsic religiosity and life
events and intrinsic religiosity for marijuana use; life events and attitudinal
intolerance for deviance, daily hassles and attitudinal intolerance for
deviance, and life events and extrinsic religiosity for delinquent behaviors;
and life events and extrinsic religiosity for the potential for dropping out of
school. Only main effects were found to be significant for levels of risky
sexual behaviors. Being male significantly predicted higher levels of
delinquent behaviors and risky sexual behaviors. All other demographics
inconsistently predicted levels of risk-taking behaviors. For males,
significant interactions were found for alcohol use and delinquent behaviors.
And for females, significant interactions included life event stress with
extrinsic religiosity and life event stress with intrinsic religiosity for
alcohol use. Results indicate that levels of religiosity and attitudinal
intolerance for deviance generally had moderating effects for adolescents
experiencing high levels of life events or daily hassles. Contributions of both
stressors to higher levels of all five risk-taking behaviors suggest that
involvement in these behaviors may be maladaptive ways to cope with stress.
High levels of protective factors appear to guard adolescents against
involvement in substance use, delinquency, and the potential for dropping out
of school. Adolescents facing high levels of stress who have low levels of
protective factors are at particular risk for engagement in risk-taking
behaviors in response to stress.
[Source: DA]
Taylor, Anthony Lee, Sr. 1998. “Gather the Children: An Effective Church-Based Community Outreach Program for Youth Empowerment.” Thesis, United Theological Seminary.
Abstract: This project
proposes a dialogical workshop, See-Judge-Act, to teach inner-city youth how to
respond when confronted by social ills and how to avoid involvement in
delinquent acts, testing it in the Huntersville neighborhood of Norfolk,
Virginia, served by Union United Church of Christ. Youth involvement in the
congregation's church school increases as a result of the workshop. [Source: RI]
Benda, Brent B. 1997. “An Examination of a Reciprocal Relationship between Religiosity and Different Forms of Delinquency within a Theoretical Model.” Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency vol. 34, pp. 163-186.
Abstract: Results from a
study of 1,093 adolescents (aged 13-20 yrs) do not support the argument that
property crimes, crimes against persons, and use of alcohol and other drugs are
behavior manifestations of an interrelated constellation or syndrome of
delinquency. A factor analysis clearly shows that the various forms of
delinquency studied load on three distinct factors. In addition, whereas the
hypothesized theoretical model does explain considerable variation in frequency
of alcohol use and of criminal behavior (22% and 24%, respectively), it does
not account for much variance in drug use (6%). Whereas there are reciprocal
relationships between religiosity and drug use and religiosity and crime, only
the feedback effect of religiosity on alcohol use is significant. These latter
findings suggest that future studies need to examine reciprocal relationships
and that the relationship between alcohol use and religiosity needs to be
re-examined conceptually and empirically in future studies. [Source: PI]
Benda, Brent B. and Robert Flynn Corwyn. 1997a. “Religion and Delinquency: The Relationship after Considering Family and Peer Influences.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion vol. 36, pp. 81-92.
Abstract: Examines the
delinquency-religion relationship among 724 public high school students in AR
& OK via questionnaires. Analysis indicates that the significance of the
relationship depends on the measures of religion used, whether other important
familial & peer influences are considered, & the form of delinquency
analyzed. When only controlling for demographics, while examining measures of
church attendance & religiosity, results support the usual conclusion that
religion is related to status offense & not to crime. However, evangelism
is not related to either form of delinquency when only considering the effects
of demographic variables. On the other hand, when elements of control theory
were added to demographic factors with hierarchical regression procedures,
church attendance & religiosity ceased to be relevant to status offenses
& remained irrelevant to crime, whereas evangelism was related to crime.
The implications of the findings for future investigations are discussed. [Source: SA]
Benda, Brent B. and Robert Flynn Corwyn. 1997b. “A Test of a Model with Reciprocal Effects between Religiosity and Various Forms of Delinquency Using 2-Stage Least Squares Regression.” Journal of Social Service Research vol. 22, pp. 27-52.
Abstract: This was a study
of 1,093 9th-12th graders from 6 different public high schools, where the same
integrated theoretical model of control and social learning theories fit the
data on alcohol use, heavy alcohol consumption, use of marijuana, criminal
behavior, sexual exploration, and suicidal thoughts. It was observed that the
model explained significantly more variance in some of these forms of
delinquency than in others, indicating only equivocal support for the deviance
syndrome argument in the literature. This study also found that religiosity was
a significant influence only on criminal behavior, whereas the feedback effect
of delinquency on religiosity was significant for all forms of delinquent
behavior studied. [Source: PI]
DiIulio, John. 1997. “With Unconditional Love: Interview on Church Influence on Youth by Jim Wallis.” Sojourners vol. 26, pp. 16-22.
Hill, Dartany??a G., Sr. 1997. “Kwanzaa: Youth Crime and Violence Prevention and Treatment Program.” Thesis, United Theological Seminary.
Abstract: This project
proposes, implements, and evaluates a pilot program to reduce and reverse youth
crime and violence, enlisting 10 young people referred by courts in mentoring,
biblical instruction, counseling, and restitution through community service.
Mentoring is valuable in reversing behavior associated with fatherlessness.
Occupying the time of troubled youth and offering them a sense of belonging
through youth-specific activities can be effective in promoting socially
appropriate values. Participants in the pilot program do not return to court,
and several of them find employment, accept personal responsibility for shared
community living, and exhibit improved attitudes. [Source: RI]
Larson, Scott J. 1997. “The Spiritual Development of Juvenile Offenders.” Thesis, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Abstract: This project
proposes a spiritual-assessment tool, including a needs-assessment survey and a
Christian-identity survey, in order to understand the process of spiritual
change in the lives of at-risk youth by accurately assessing these youth in
their spiritual and developmental environment. Based on this assessment the
project offers effective ministry strategies tailored to needs and
identity. [Source: RI]
Litchfield, Allen W., Darwin L. Thomas, and Bing Dao Li. 1997. “Dimensions of Religiosity as Mediators of the Relations between Parenting and Adolescent Deviant Behavior.” Journal of Adolescent Research vol. 12, pp. 199-226.
Abstract: Data from over
1,500 American adolescents (aged 11-18 yrs)--collected in 2 separate projects,
both longitudinal-- were used to examine the interrelations among parent/child
interactions, adolescent religiosity, and adolescent and young deviance and the
degree to which these dimensions mediated the effects of parental behavior on
adolescent deviant outcomes. Results found that the 3 religiosity dimensions
functioned as intervening variables between parental behaviors and deviance,
with adolescents' expectations of future religious activity reducing subsequent
deviance more than either public or private adolescent religiosity. These
findings imply that from their parent/child relationships and their public and
private religious activity, adolescents construct a view of what will be their
future patterns of religious activity. They then tend to participate or not in
deviant behavior consonant with their future religious orientation. [Source: PI]
Macintosh, William Robert. 1997. “Adolescent Victimization among High School Students: Testing a Model Utilizing a Religious Minority.” Ph.d. Thesis, Brigham Young University.
Abstract: The purpose of
this study was to develop and test a model of characteristics that related to
being a victim of delinquent activity among high school students. Strong family
relations, heightened school performance, and strong religious beliefs are
believed to lessen the chances of being victimized. Teenager members of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints living in the Mid-Atlantic states, the
Pacific Northwest, and in Utah were surveyed. The original intent was to
identify those characteristics that contributed to a teenager's victimization
as students in high school. This study showed that delinquency, religiosity,
sex, school performance, and self-esteem were the characteristics that
predicted victimization. The model of victim characteristics does identify
students who are most likely to become victims. Additional variables may exist
that will strengthen the models predictive ability. [Source: DA]
Mack, Sir Walter Lee, Jr. 1997. “The Use of Luke 15 to Empower Reconciliation among Male Juvenile Delinquents in the African American Community.” Thesis, United Theological Seminary.
Abstract: This project
establishes mutual relationships between African American juvenile delinquents
and members of New Hope Granville Baptist Church (Oxford, NC), in order to help
these young men become reconciled with God, themselves, and other human beings
while changing their attitudes toward crime through spiritual, educational, and
recreational activities. The parables of Luke 15 become the paradigm of
reconciliation for the church and these troubled young men. [Source: RI]
Neumark Sztainer, Dianne, Mary Story, Simone A. French, and Michael D. Resnick. 1997. “Psychosocial Correlates of Health Compromising Behaviors among Adolescents.” Health Education Research vol. 12, pp. 37-52.
Abstract: Investigated
psychosocial correlates of diverse health-compromising behaviors among
adolescents of different ages. Ss included 123,132 11-21 yr old males and
females in 6th, 9th, and 12th grade. Psychosocial correlates of substance
abuse, delinquency, suicide risk, sexual activity, and unhealthy weight loss
behaviors were examined. Psychosocial variables included emotional well-being,
self-esteem, risk-taking disposition, number of concerns, extracurricular
involvement, religiosity, school connectedness and achievement, physical and
sexual abuse, and family connectedness and structure. Results show that
risk-taking disposition was associated with nearly every behavior across age
and gender groups. Other consistent correlates included sexual abuse and family
connectedness. Correlates of health-compromising behaviors tended to be
consistent across age groups. However, stronger associations were noted between
sexual abuse and substance use for younger adolescents, and risk-taking
disposition and school achievement were stronger correlates for older youth.
Findings suggest the presence of both common and unique etiological factors for
different health-compromising behaviors among youth. [Source: PI]
Powell, Kathleen B. 1997. “Correlates of Violent and Nonviolent Behavior among Vulnerable Inner-City Youths.” Family and Community Health vol. 20, pp. 38-47.
Abstract: Questionnaire data
are used to identify determinants of violent & nonviolent behavior among
521 inner-city students at high risk for violence in Birmingham, AL. Logistic
regression analysis predicted violent behavior from youths who are exposed to
violence, are gang members, have family or friends who are gang members, &
have peer support. Nonviolent behavior was predicted from youths who have adult
social support, view religion as important, are younger, & are female.
Practice implications are noted.
[Source: SA]
Rapposelli, Teresa Maria. 1997. “Family Characteristics of Hispanic Male Adolescents Involved in Youth Gangs.” Psy.d. Thesis, California School of Professional Psychology - Berkeley/Alameda.
Abstract: This study tested
the hypothesis that Hispanic adolescent boys may be turning to gangs in order
to seek a place where they feel they belong. The breakdown in the nuclear
family unit and how this is associated with an increase in gang involvement,
delinquent behavior, and violence and crime for Hispanic youths was studied.
Sixty Hispanic male adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18 participated in
this study. Thirty adolescents who did not self identify as gang members
composed the Control group. The Experimental group consisted of thirty
adolescents who indicated that they were gang members. A Personal Information
Questionnaire was used to assess demographic variables, cultural preferences,
and issues concerning family characteristics, values, and emotions of the
research participants. The quality of the subjects' family relations was
measured by the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale-II. It was
predicted that families of gang members would demonstrate high levels of
cohesion (emotional connectedness) and adaptability (flexibility). Although significant
difference between groups was found on the means of the total scores for
cohesion, chi square analyses showed no statistical association between non-
gang/gang membership and the four cohesion categories. Similarly, no
significance was found when comparing the means of the total scores for
adaptability, nor did chi square analyses show statistical association between
non- gang/gang membership and the four adaptability categories. Finally,
results of the Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated no significant difference in
the family type between groups. Discussion centered on the implication of
findings for the general delinquency literature. The importance of Hispanic
cultural values and the necessity of distinguishing traditional Hispanic family
dynamics from those of other cultural, ethnic, or religious groups was
stressed. Issues of acculturation, environmental stress, and the basic survival
issues and societal pressures that Hispanic families face within a dominant
culture were also addressed. Recommendations for future research regarding
depression, post traumatic stress, substance abuse, and other extraneous
factors that may more clearly determine whether or not gang membership is truly
due to family dysfunction were given.
[Source: DA]
van Hulst, Yael and Heather Madray. 1997. “Deterrents to Delinquency: The Impact of Social Ties.” Paper presented at American Sociological Association (ASA), 1997.
Abstract: Previous
literature suggests that religiosity deters adolescent delinquent behavior.
Recent discussions have focused on individual variables in explaining behavior.
Although these variables may play a role in producing delinquent behavior, it
is contended here that it is important to acknowledge that cultural
institutions mediate psychological & familial variables. The impact of
social support received via religious & community involvements on the
delinquent behavior of youth is examined, & it is hypothesized that
religious & community involvements have similar effects in providing social
ties. The Monitoring the Future dataset (Form 6, 1992) is used to examine the
effect of religiosity & community involvement revealed that religiosity has
an effect on drug & alcohol use, but that community involvement has more of
an effect on delinquency & norm-violating behavior. Moreover, the
interaction between religion & community involvement appears to have the
greatest effect in reducing drug & alcohol use & delinquency. [Source: SA]
Wiederhold, Terie Shawalter. 1997. “Predictive Variables of Gang Membership and the Structure of Gangs in Utah County.” Ph.d. Thesis, Brigham Young University.
Abstract: The intention of
this study was to statistically find predictive variables of gang membership. A
52-item questionnaire was given to 341 youth participants living in Utah. The
obtained cases were categorized into three groups: control, delinquent, and
gang. A factor analysis was used to consolidate several of the questions of
interest. Using a stepwise discriminant function analysis the following 12
variables were found to be predictive of group membership: inappropriate
behaviors, illegal behaviors, religiosity, knowledge of gangs, gender, social
reasons for joining a gang, age, danger risk-taking behavior, fast driving
risk-taking behavior, hanging out value, religion, and media activities. Given
these 12 predictors, group membership for similar participants should be
adequately determined better than chance alone. The second purpose of this
study was to identify the structure and organization of gangs in an area
recently experiencing a gang problem. Descriptive variables were thus used to
describe gang activities in Utah County. This study found that even gang
members in these low-crime communities gave grandiose estimations of their gang
behaviors. Further research needs to focus more on the psychological
perspective of gang membership. Possible future research topics include family
discipline styles, hours spent with family and friends, and family
involvement. [Source: DA]
Curry, Theodore R. 1996. “Conservative Protestantism and the Perceived Wrongfulness of Crimes.” Criminology vol. 34, pp. 453-464.
DuRant, Robert H. and Frank Treiber. 1996. “Intentions to Use Violence among Young Adolescents.” Pediatrics vol. 98, p. 1104.
Abstract: Examines the
influence of exposure to violence, depression, church attendance, multiple drug
use and demographic variables on young adolescents' intentions to use violence
to resolve conflict. Description of the clustering behaviors that can
jeopardize the health of young adolescents who live in economically
disadvantaged environments; Theories supporting the study. [Source: AS]
Evans, T. David, Francis T. Cullen, Velmer S. Burton, Jr., R. Gregory Dunaway, and et al. 1996. “Religion, Social Bonds, and Delinquency.” Deviant Behavior vol. 17, pp. 43-70.
Abstract: Used comprehensive
measures of religion, secular social bonds, and delinquency to resolve
questions concerning the relative efficacy of religion as an inhibitor of
delinquency. Unlike prior research, these models also included measures of 3
separate dimensions of religiosity (religious activities, salience, and
"hellfire") and peer religiosity. In the most fully specified models,
using data collected from 263 students in Grades 10-12, individual religiosity
and peer religiosity appeared to be important predictors of general
delinquency. However, antiascetic acts, i.e., those explicitly proscribed in a
religious context, were dampened by peer religiosity only. [Source: PI]
Fang, X. Y., B. Stanton, X. M. Li, D. Romer, J. Galbraith, and S. Feigelman. 1996. “Similarity of Risk and Protective Behaviours among African- American Pre- and Early Adolescent Members of Naturally Occurring Friendship Groups.” Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine vol. 73, pp. 285-300.
Abstract: To determine
whether self-reported risk and protective behaviors, expectations, and
attitudes are more similar among African-American early adolescents within a
community-based friendship group than across groups, a cross-sectional study
was conducted among 382 African-American youth 9 through 15 years of age
forming 76 community-based groups of 3 through 10 same-gender friends. Each
member of the friendship group reported his/her own past involvement in nine
risk behaviors (sexual intercourse, substance abuse, drug-trafficking, and
other delinquent activities) and two protective behaviors (high academic
performance and regular church attendance) and their expectations and feelings
regarding several of these behaviors. Intraclass correlation coefficients were
calculated overall and by gender and age. Members were generally more similar
within friendship groups than across groups with regard to several risk
behaviors and expectations including sexual intercourse and drug-trafficking.
Particularly striking was the similarity among members of ''junior'' friendship
groups (e.g., median age of youth +ADw-11 years) of both risk and protective
behaviors and expectations. The finding of enhanced similarity of risk behaviors
and expectations among members within groups suggests that intervention
delivery through community-based friendship groups may be a useful approach for
risk prevention efforts targeting pre-adolescent African-American youth living
in low- income settings. [Source: SC]
Jagers, Robert J. 1996. “Culture and Problem Behaviors among Inner-City African-American Youth: Further Explorations.” Journal of Adolescence vol. 19, pp. 371-381.
Abstract: The relationship
between cultural associations & problem behaviors among African-American
inner-city children in a large midwestern US city was examined in a
questionnaire survey examining the endorsement & impact of various cultural
influences (N = 119 fifth & sixth graders). Drawing on A. W. Boykin's
triple quandary framework (1983), it is argued that African-American children
must negotiate between three primary cultural influences: Afrocultural, which
emphasizes spirituality, affect, & communalism; Anglocultural, which
endorses material well-being, effort optimism, individualism, &
competition; & the minority marginalized realm, which is characterized by
feelings of alienation & repression. Findings suggests that inner-city
African Americans responded positively to all features of Afrocultural identity
while also placing faith in the Anglocultural ideals of hard work &
sacrifice. However, concern with material gain was correlated with school
problems & involvement in gangs & street activity, & it is argued
that the actual experiences of the more troubled adolescents evidenced the abandonment
of communalism in favor of predatory individualism & objectification of
others. Further, strong endorsement of Afrocultural ideals was associated with
fewer aggressive & delinquent behaviors. Directions for future research are
briefly discussed. [Source: SA]
McCreary, Micah L., Lesley A. Slavin, and Eloise J. Berry. 1996. “Predicting Problem Behavior and Self-Esteem among African American Adolescents.” Journal of Adolescent Research vol. 11, pp. 216-234.
Abstract: Investigates the
utility of using stress, social support, & racial identity to predict
problem behavior & self-esteem among African American adolescents.
Questionnaire data indicate that stressful life events & lack of perceived
support from friends were predictive of problem behavior (eg, drug & alcohol
use, delinquent acts) in a sample of 221 African American high school students
attending a Baptist church-sponsored weekend retreat in a southeastern state.
Strong support from friends attenuated the effects of stress. Only one
racial-identity variable - attitudes toward African Americans - contributed to
the prediction of problem behavior after other variables were entered into the
regression equation. More positive attitudes predicted lower levels of problem
behavior. Similar results were obtained in a regression analysis using
self-esteem as the dependent variable. It is concluded that stress models are
useful with African Americans, particularly if a racial-identity variable is
included. [Source: SA]
Meyer, Aleta L. and Linda Lausell. 1996. “The Value of Including a "Higher Power" in Efforts to Prevent Violence and Promote Optimal Outcomes During Adolescence.” Pp. 115-132 in Preventing Violence in America. Issues in Children's and Families' Lives, Vol. 4, edited by Robert L. Hampton and Pamela Jenkins. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Abstract: (from the chapter)
argue that an adolescent's understanding of his or her own spiritual belief
system makes a unique contribution to that person's development on both
personal and societal levels / describe common themes within spiritual belief
systems and . . . present a preliminary consideration of the role of
spirituality in adolescence / review . . . research directly related to
spirituality in adolescence / discuss future possibilities for the role of
promoting personal spiritual belief systems in preventing violence and
optimizing adolescent outcomes.
[Source: PI]
Moss, Belinda Gale. 1996. “Perceptions of Church Leaders Regarding the Role of the Church in Combating Juvenile Delinquency in San Antonio, Texas: Implications for Church and Community-Based Programs.” Ph.D. Thesis, St. Mary'S University (San Antonio).
Abstract: The purpose of
this study was to determine the perceptions of church leaders regarding
juvenile delinquency in their church community in San Antonio, Texas and
whether the church should be an active participant in arresting adolescent
criminal behavior. The increased incidence of juvenile delinquency, especially
violent crimes, in urban, suburban, and rural areas, in cities large and small,
begs the invention of new programs which can be effective in combating juvenile
delinquency and reducing recidivism rates for juvenile offenders. There is a
proliferation of data on factors relating to juvenile delinquency. Cited most
often are low socio-economic status, educational difficulties, and dissolution
of the family. Still, the development of effective preventive methods,
treatment programs, or rehabilitation for these conduct-disordered youth is at
best limited. Although there is no panacea for treating conduct-disordered
youth, there is evidence in literature that the church is an organization that
provides moral development, values clarification, and a sense of community for
its members. Accordingly, the church may be helpful in facilitating troubled
youth. It is documented that church attendance lessens depression, sexual
activity, alcohol and substance abuse, and deviant behaviors. This current
study revealed that 87 percent of the clergy in San Antonio, Texas perceived
that the church had an active role in thwarting juvenile delinquency. Of the
200 participants, some 74 percent had developed religious-based programs
specifically addressing the juvenile delinquency problem, as well as active
involvement in various community-based programs, to include, J.O.V.E.N.,
D.A.R.E., and FAIR-WELL TO VIOLENCE. This study revealed promising evidence
that may prove effective in reducing juvenile delinquency. [Source: DA]
Neverdon-Merritt, Michal. 1996. “The Socialization of the Urban, Black, Male Delinquent in a Low-Income, Single-Parent, Female-Headed Household.” Ph.D. Thesis, University of Maryland At Baltimore.
Abstract: Juvenile
delinquency has been declared a widespread social problem. Statistics show that
low-income, black male juveniles have higher rates of involvement in delinquent
activities than white male, white female and black female juveniles. Family
structure (i.e., one parent vs two parent families) has been related to
juvenile delinquency. Some researchers have argued that juveniles from single
parent families (specifically families headed by females) are more vulnerable
to delinquent activities than those of two parent families. There are limited
entries, past and current, that directly relate to single parenting and its
influence on juvenile recidivism. The purpose of this qualitative
"grounded" theory field study was to explore and describe the effects
of mother son interaction patterns on the black male delinquent (ages 10-17).
Open ended interviews were conducted with each mother son dyad (N = 11) in
three rounds of data collection. Interviews were conducted in the homes of the
families. The constant comparative method of data collection and analysis was
used, concepts and themes were identified, systematically linked, negotiated
and refined into working hypotheses. The working hypotheses were negotiated to
develop "grounded" theory. The results indicate that black male
juveniles who are continuously encouraged by their single mothers to be
"independent" tend to exhibit aggressive behavior and have a
pessimistic outlook on life. The mothers' expectations of independence for
their sons are based on the following factors: (a) mothers' own childhood
experiences and socialization process; (b) mothers' interactions with male
partners; (c) mothers' perceptions of sons; and (d) mothers' emotional well-
being and religious/philosophical outlook on life. The sons' aggressive
behaviors and pessimistic outlook on life are related to: (a) their perceptions
of their parents and interactions with mothers; and (b) their support from
their extended family and community. Implications of these findings include
recommendations for policy, research and direct practice within the social work
profession and various helping professions in the community. Significant
findings indicated that "juvenile delinquency is a community
problem." The educational system, the juvenile justice system, mental
health centers and others need to coordinate their services for youth. All
agencies would benefit from having social workers develop and implement
programs. [Source: DA]
Perkins, Daniel Francis. 1996. “An Examination of the Organismic, Behavioral, and Contextual Covariates of Risk Behaviors among Diverse Groups of Adolescents.” PHD Thesis, Michigan State University.
Abstract: This study
explored the interrelationship of risk behaviors (i.e., alcohol and drug use,
antisocial behavior/delinquency, sexual activity, and school misconduct) and,
in turn, their relationships with individual-organismic characteristics (i.e.,
age, gender, and ethnicity), individual-behavioral characteristics (i.e.,
involvement in extracurricular activities, religiosity, and view of the
future), and contextual characteristics (i.e., family support,
parent-adolescent communication, peer group characteristics, and school
climate). A sample of 16,375 Michigan adolescents, aged 12 to 17 years, derived
from the Community-Based Profile of Michigan Youth study, was administered the
Search Institute Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors
Questionnaire (ABQ), a self report measure indexing adolescents' attitudes and
behaviors. In almost all cases, correlations among risk behaviors within the
entire sample and within the age, gender, and ethnic subgroups were
significant. Correlations between males and females and among the racial/ethnic
and age groups generally did not differ significantly. However,
intercorrelations among European American adolescents were generally higher
than was the case for corresponding correlations among African American
adolescents. Multiple regressions were used to assess how the risk behaviors
were predicted by the individual and contextual characteristics, and to
determine whether this covariation differed among subgroups. All results were
significant and, across equations, peer group characteristics was the most
frequent significant predictor. Age, gender, and religiosity were significant
predictors, particularly in the multiple regressions for sexual activity.
Self-esteem, parent-adolescent communication, view of the future, and family
support were not significant predictors. Results were discussed in regard to
this study's limitations and to directions for future research. Limitations
were associated with the study's cross sect.
[Source: PI]
Powell, Kathleen Bucher. 1996. “Determinants of Nonviolent Behavior among High-Risk Inner-City Youth.” PHD Thesis, University of Alabama At Birmingham.
Abstract: The purpose of
this study was to identify the determinants of nonviolent behavior among a high-risk
group of inner-city youth. Geographical areas known to be at high risk for
violence were identified within a Southeast county. Schools within identified
areas that reported the highest percentage of student conduct code violations
were selected as target schools. Students enrolled in fifth, seventh, ninth,
and eleventh grades of target schools (n = 521) were administered an anonymous
questionnaire. Respondents were classified into four mutually exclusive,
violence-related categories according to whether they were involved in a
physical fight in the past 12 months and/or carried a weapon in the past 30
days. Forty-eight percent of students self-reported nonviolent behavior.
Analysis of variances revealed significant relationships between violence behavior
and age, gender, adult social support, violence exposure, gang-related
involvement, and religiosity. Logistic regression analysis predicted nonviolent
behavior from youth who have adult social support, view religion as important,
are younger aged youth, and are female. Violent behavior was predicted from
youth who are exposed to violence, are gang members, have family/friends who
are gang members, and have peer support. Factors not independently associated
with violence behavior in the logistic model included church attendance, family
support, and participation in extracurricular activities. These data indicate
that violence-related activities are frequent among this population, but that
the presence of certain factors may mitigate violent behavior. [Source: PI]
Ramey, Timothy R. 1996. “The Development of a Mentor Ministry to Train the Brotherhood of the Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church.” Thesis, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Abstract: This project
proposes to combat the rising rate of violent crime and social disintegration
among young black males by preparing Christian men to serve as mentors to
neighborhood youth. The project conducted three seminars for church leaders
concerning child abuse and its effects, self-esteem among black males, and
substance abuse. These mentors were paired with seven first offenders referred
by the juvenile court. Four of these young men significantly improved in
academic performance, citizenship behavior, and family relationships. [Source: RI]
Stark, Rodney. 1996. “Religion as Context: Hellfire and Delinquency One More Time.” Sociology of Religion vol. 57, pp. 163-173.
Westmoreland, Cheri Lynn. 1996. “Faith in Action: A Descriptive Case Study of Project Impact, a Comprehensive Juvenile Diversion Program Sponsored by an African-American Church.” Ed.d. Thesis, University of Cincinnati.
Abstract: Some African
American congregations have established a Project IMPACT program, a
comprehensive juvenile diversion program, to assist church and community youth
experiencing discipline problems and low academic performance which has the
potential to lead to dropping out of school. Project IMPACT Dayton works with
the family to enhance youth development educational learning skills, parent
effectiveness and provides incentives for the family to work towards
strengthening the family unit and participation in the program. The purpose of
this study was to identify and describe the organizational mechanisms and the
influences of the African American religious experiences and value system that
were involved in the planning, development, and implementation of Project
IMPACT Dayton by a single urban African American church. The study describes
the perceptions of those involved with the project (students, parents, and
staff) concerning the program's effectiveness in helping students perform
academically and stay in school. A combination of methods were used to describe
the comprehensive juvenile diversion program, Project IMPACT Dayton. In this
study, the descriptive case study method included the use of participation,
observation, interviews and document review as means of data collection. This
case study provides certain aspects program evolution in the context of
Christian values and mission service operating in this African American church.
The case study involves the discussion of the history and mission of the
Revival Center Ministries, the development of community outreach, the Project
IMPACT program evolution and the values and religious experiences of the
African American church that make this program effective. [Source: DA]
Bankston, Carl L., III and Min Zhou. 1995. “Religious Participation, Ethnic Identification, and Adaptation of Vietnamese Adolescents in an Immigrant Community.” The Sociological Quarterly vol. 36, pp. 523-534.
Abstract: This article
addresses the role of religion in immigrant adaptation through the case of
Vietnamese adolescents. Our results show that religious participation
consistently makes a significant contribution to ethnic identification, which,
in turn, facilitates positive adaptation of immigrant adolescents to American
society by increasing the probability that adolescents will do well in school,
set their sights on future education, and avoid some of the dangers that
confront contemporary young people. These results suggest that an immigrant congregation
does not function simply as a means of maintaining a psychologically comforting
sense of ethnicity while group members drop ethnic traits in their day-to-day
lives. Nor does identification with an ethnic group appear to limit life
chances by binding group members to ethnic traits. On the contrary, the ethnic
religious participation examined here, to a large extent, facilitates
adjustment to the host society precisely because it promotes the cultivation of
a distinctive ethnicity, that, in turn, helps young people to reach higher
levels of academic achievement and to avoid dangerous and destructive forms of
behavior. [Source: SS]
Benda, Brent B. 1995. “The Effect of Religion on Adolescent Delinquency Revisited.” Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency vol. 32, pp. 446-466.
Abstract: Tested 4
hypotheses on the effects of religion on adolescent delinquency. Ss were 1,093
public high school students from rural Oklahoma; rural Arkansas; Little Rock,
Arkansas; and Baltimore, Maryland and were evenly distributed across Grades
9-12. Seven dependent variables including property, person, and status offenses
were examined. Results do not support the hypothesis that either antiascetic
behaviors are more affected by religiosity than are criminal behaviors or that
religiosity is an antecedent factor that has effects fully mediated through
other more proximate elements of social control. There were few real
differences in the effects of religiosity on various forms of delinquency
between the urban and rural areas. Longitudinal data are needed to examine
whether religiosity is antecedent to, or the consequence of, various forms of
delinquency. [Source: PI]
Durant, R. H., A. G. Getts, C. Cadenhead, and E. R. Woods. 1995. “The Association between Weapon-Carrying and the Use of Violence among Adolescents Living in or around Public-Housing.” Journal of Adolescence vol. 18, pp. 579-592.
Abstract: The study examined
social and psychological factors associated with the frequency of
weapon-carrying by Black adolescents living in a community where there is
extensive poverty and a high level of violent crime. Using a cross-sectional
anonymous survey design adolescents (N=225; males=44%) ages 11 to 19 years
living in or around nine HUD housing projects in Augusta, Georgia were
administered an anonymous questionnaire. The dependent variables were the
number of days that a weapon, such as a gun, knife, or club was carried in the
previous 30 days and the frequency that a hidden weapon was carried in the last
year. Carrying a weapon during the previous 30 days was significantly
(p<0.05) associated with previous exposure to violence and victimization,
age, corporal punishment scale, depression, family conflict, purpose in life,
and the self- appraised probability of being alive at age 25, and was higher
among males. Based on multiple regression analysis, previous exposure and
victimization to violence, gender, age, and self- appraised probability of
being alive at age 25 explained 17 per cent of the variation in frequency of
weapon-carrying. The exposure to violence and victimization scale, school
grade, and probability of being alive at age 25 explained 12.1 per cent of the
variation in frequency of carrying a hidden weapon in the last year. The two
indicators of weapon-carrying were not associated with family structure,
religious behavior, or any other demographic variable. [Source: SC]
Hay, Steven D. 1995. “Maternal Employment, Parent-Adolescent Closeness and Adolescent Competence.” Ph.d. Thesis, Brigham Young University.
Abstract: This study
examined the relationships between maternal employment, adolescent employment,
extracurricular activities, and closeness between parents and adolescents among
a sample of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A
related focus was the relationship between parent-adolescent closeness and
adolescent competency as represented by educational aspirations, self-esteem,
and juvenile delinquency. It was found that maternal employment was not
significantly related to parent-adolescent closeness. The strongest variable
predicting LDS adolescents' closeness to their parents was the adolescents'
perception of their parents marital quality. Parent-adolescent closeness was
significantly related to girls' self-esteem, and negatively related to
adolescent juvenile delinquency for both boys and girls. Maternal employment
was positively related to victimless delinquency for both boys and girls. Close
parent-adolescent relationships promote adolescent social competence. [Source: DA]
Ransom, Elbert, Jr. 1995. “Developing a Mentorship Program Model for Black Males as a Prison Ministry in an Urban Congregation.” Thesis, Wesley Theological Seminary.
Abstract: The mentorship
program evolved from a need to provide a socio-religious support system for
young Black males who are at risk with the law in the city of Alexandria,
Virginia. Black males are fraught with negative societal perceptions in
Alexandria and need support in positive self-esteem, moral, and spiritual
persuasion. They are victimized by poor education, poor economics, and a
shrinking labor market. Many young Black males are involved in a life of crime
as the result of hopelessness. The Alfred Street Baptist Men's Department is
responding to the need by providing a mentorship program, with its foundation
in Matthew 25:31-36. [Source: RI]
Smith, Jacqueline Elizabeth. 1995. “Latino Gang Male Youth and Risk Factors: Time Preference, Time Perception, and Locus of Control.” Ph.d. Thesis, University of California Los Angeles.
Abstract: The growth of
gangs in Los Angeles, California has brought with it an increase in gang
related violence. Two thirds of this gang population are Latino male
adolescents. Researchers have considered the concept of time when observing
at-risk youth (Bruno, 1993, Norton, 1993, Colarusso, 1988). Differences between
at-risk youth and "normal" comparison groups were found in time
allocations, time preferences, time perceptions, and locus of control. This
investigator attempted to determine possible risk factors and indicators of
adolescent gang involvement. The sample consisted of 194 male, Latino
adolescents, broken into two groups; 100 gang members and 94 non-gang members.
Most of the gang members lived in a youth authority facility, and the non-gang
members came from high schools in the Los Angeles area, in neighborhoods where
the gang members had lived prior to their arrests. Each participant completed a
time-allocation portfolio, a perception survey, a locus-of-control survey, and
background questionnaires regarding demographic and gang affiliation
information. For incarcerated gang members, activities reported were those
occurring prior to their arrests. Significant differences found between the
gang and non- gang groups included: The gang group had more non- directed time
preferences and fewer outer-directed (achievement oriented) time preferences.
"No temporal dominance" was found more with the gang group than the
non-gang group. Locus of control was not found to be significantly different
between the gang and non-gang groups. The gang-group members were more likely to
have been reared in single parent homes, with more tending toward alcoholism
and drug addiction in the family, and with siblings also being gang members,
and were less likely to attend church and school regularly. Findings indicated
that possible risk-factors to gang involvement are: time allocations, time
preferences, time perceptions, and family situational variables. Indicators of
gang involvement are: type of clothing worn, number of tattoos, number of
friends in a gang, arrests, and graffiti writing. [Source: DA]
Watson, Deborah Nava. 1995. “Violence and Gang Membership: The Influence of Family, Religion, and Deviant Behavior.” PHD Thesis, Colorado State University.
Abstract: Research has
suggested that the majority of gangs are in low-income neighborhoods, which are
mostly comprised of ethnic minorities. Not surprisingly, within the general
youth population, adolescents of specific ethnic groups face greater risk than
White non-Hispanic youth for becoming assaultive violence victims. Today, gangs
in urban areas are increasing rapidly. The increasing number of youths joining
gangs and committing serious acts of violence has many worried about safety in
their own neighborhoods. The purpose of this paper is to review family factors
that promote adolescent delinquency and to investigate whether those negative
family factors influence an adolescent to join a gang. Some 2,347 youths from a
southwestern U.S. community completed a variation of the American Drug and
Alcohol Survey which included additional variables of interest for the present
investigation. The study was limited to Mexican-American (MA) and White
non-Hispanic (WnH) youth. The youths were classified into four subgroups: gang
members, former gang members, gang wannabe's, and non-gang members based on
self-reports. These four sub-groups were compared on a set of behaviors, which
included: friends in a gang, delinquent behavior, religiousness, victimization,
family environment, tolerance of deviance and minor deviant behavior. Analyses
of variance revealed that gang members were the most delinquent of the groups;
they also tended to be more tolerant of deviant behaviors. The main objective
of this paper was to investigate whether a negative home atmosphere increases
the chances that a youth would join a gang and exhibit delinquent behavior. It
was found that youths who reported being gang members or former gang members
perceived their families to be less caring for them and the youths in turn felt
less caring for their family. The present findings suggest that a negative home
life can be influential in a youth's participation in a gang. [Source: PI]
Cochran, John K., Peter B. Wood, and Bruce J. Arneklev. 1994. “Is the Religiosity-Delinquency Relationship Spurious? Social Control Theories.” Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency vol. 31, pp. 92-123.
Abstract: Examined the
effects of religious variables (participation and salience) on adolescents'
self-reported delinquent behaviors while controlling for arousal and social
control influences. Data were obtained from 1,591 15-21 yr old high school
students in Oklahoma through confidential questionnaires. OLS and LISREL
analyses showed that for every category of delinquency examined, the effects of
religiosity declined when arousal and control variables were added to the
models. The effect of religiosity was reduced to insignificance for assault, theft,
vandalism, illicit drug use, and truancy. However, the effect remained
significant for tobacco and alcohol use. For all but the 2 more minor juvenile
offenses, results support social control theorists' claim that the
religion-delinquency relationship is spurious.
[Source: PI]
Adeseun, Quadri Akintunde. 1993. “The Impact of Religious Beliefs and Religious Commitments on Delinquent Behaviors.” Ph.d. Thesis, University of Maryland College Park.
Abstract: This research
explores the importance of religion on delinquent behaviors. Specifically, the
theoretical model examines both the direct effect of participation in religion
and religious commitment and its indirect effect through various intervening
causal factors. In addition, by exploring the impact of religious beliefs on
delinquent behavior with panel data, thereby controlling for the temporal order
of variables, this study considers the relationship between religiosity and
delinquent behavior. Uniting a key theme in the writings of Freud, Durkheim and
Mead, I trace the influence of moral beliefs and religiosity on delinquent
behaviors. These three theorists offer an explanation of what has been called
the PROBLEM OF ORDER. That is a particularly important topic in criminology
because that is the ultimate question that all criminologists deal with, but
only control theorists deal with it explicitly. Using two waves of the
Elliott's National Youth Survey, this research tests the impact of religious
commitments on general delinquency and various types of specific offenses. The
findings do not totally support the claim that religious commitments have a
strong direct effect on delinquency. There was only a direct effect for
religious commitments on drug sales. And the effects on general delinquency,
though inverse as expected, were not significant. The only empirical
confirmation of the theoretical mode is that religion has a very weak effect on
delinquency by strengthening a delinquency inhibitor and weakening a
delinquency generator (delinquent peers).
[Source: DA]
Chadwick, Bruce A. and Brent L. Top. 1993. “Religiosity and Delinquency among Lds Adolescents.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion vol. 32, pp. 51-67.
Abstract: Tested the
religious ecology hypothesis that postulates that religion is negatively
related to delinquency only in a highly religious climate. Questionnaire data
were collected from 1,398 adolescent Latter-Day Saints (LDS [aged 14-29 yrs])
living on the East Coast. The link between religion and delinquency in this
low-LDS religious climate was compared with the connection found in an earlier
study (S. L. Albrecht et al; see record 1978-25042-001) of 3 highly moral LDS
communities in California, Idaho, and Utah. The religious ecology hypothesis
was not supported; religiosity had a strong negative relationship to
delinquency in both the high and low religious ecologies. A multivariate model
was tested that allowed peer, family, and religious factors to compete to
explain delinquency. The multivariate model revealed that although peer influence
made the strongest contribution in the regression equation, religiosity also
made a significant contribution.
[Source: PI]
Moffitt, Terrie. 1993. “Adolescence-Limited and Life-Course Persistent Antisocial Behavior: A Developmental Taxonomy.” Psychological Review vol. 100, pp. 674-701.
Nakkula, Michael James. 1993. “Toward Methodological Dialogue in Adolescent Risk Research.” Ed.D. Thesis, Harvard University.
Abstract: This study
examined whether the clustering, prediction and self-reported meaning of
various forms of high-risk behavior differed within two divergent high school
cultures. 406 students were sampled, 242 from an urban high school in a
low-income, working-class community, and 164 from a suburban high school in a
middle-income, working-class and professional community. The urban subsample
was largely African-American (35%) and Hispanic (30%), with smaller numbers of
Haitian (15%) and Caucasian (7.5%) students. The suburban subsample was almost
exclusively Caucasian (86%). Females comprised 55% of the sample within each
school; males 45%. Sampling was largely random. Nine forms of high-risk
behavior were included in the assessment of clustering differences: Cigarette
smoking, alcohol use, marijuana use, harder drug use, multiple substance use,
crime, depressive behavior, school-related problems, and sexual behavior.
Involvement in each of these behaviors was assessed by the Risk and Prevention
Questionnaire and Interview (RAP QI) (Nakkula, Way, Stauber, & London,
1989), a lickert-type survey, developed in consultation with high school
students representing a broad range of reading levels. Multidimensional scaling
and cluster analysis uncovered three clusters of behaviors within each school.
The cluster of depressive behavior and school-related problems was found within
both schools, while the two unique urban school clusters were sexual behavior
with crime and the substance use cluster of cigarette smoking, alcohol use,
marijuana use and multiple substance use. The two unique suburban school
clusters were cigarette smoking, alcohol use and sexual behavior; and marijuana
use, multiple substance use, harder drug use and crime. Within each school,
cluster scores were best predicted, via multiple regression, by different
combinations of risk and resiliency factors, including family functioning,
quality of relationships with parents and friends, hopefulness/hopelessness,
religiosity, and friends' and family substance use, each of which was assessed
by the RAP QI. Qualitative analyses of indepth research interviews were
conducted to interpret the meaning of selected regression findings for each
school. The particular strategy for using quantitative and qualitative methods
interactively, designed and exemplified here, represents movement toward a
methodological dialogue that can deepen our understanding of adolescent
high-risk behavior. [Source: DA]
Top, Brent L. and Bruce A. Chadwick. 1993. “The Power of the Word: Religion, Family, Friends, and Delinquent Behavior of Lds Youth.” Brigham Young University Studies pp. 293-310.
Damphousse, Kelly R. and Ben M. Crouch. 1992. “Did the Devil Make Them Do It? An Examination of the Etiology of Satanism among Juvenile Delinquents.” Youth and Society vol. 24, pp. 204-227.
Abstract: Multivariate
techniques were used to examine two hypotheses regarding the phenomenon of
youth involvement in Satanism: (1) Satanic involvement has an etiology in
common with other youthful deviance; & (2) Satanists possess certain
characteristics that differentiate them from non-Satanists. Findings of interviews
conducted over a 6-month period in 1989 at the reception center of the Texas
Youth Commission in Brownwood (N = 530 males (Ms) & females (Fs), ages
10-17) reveal a Satanic profile of a white M or F, with a higher level of
imagination & intelligence, who seeks a sense of control over the events in
his or her life. Although youths involved in Satanism are as delinquent as
other youths, they are less apt to have seriously delinquent friends,
suggesting that this type of occult activity attracts only certain kinds of
youth. [Source: SA]
Ketterlinus, Robert D., Michael E. Lamb, Katherine Nitz, and Arthur B. Elster. 1992. “Adolescent Nonsexual and Sex-Related Problem Behaviors.” Journal of Adolescent Research vol. 7, pp. 431-456.
Abstract: Data from a
subsample (N = 1,197 males [Ms] & 1,834 females [Fs], 75% white & 25%
black) of the 1980 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth are drawn on to
compare the involvement in problem behaviors of those who were: (1) virgins,
(2) sexually experienced but never pregnant, & (3) pregnant or parents. Logistic
regression analyses reveal that, after controlling for the effects of
sociodemographic status, age, school status, & frequency of attendance at
religious services, sexually experienced, never pregnant adolescents are more
likely than virgins to have been involved in four types of nonsexual problem
behaviors. However, pregnant/parenting adolescents are no more likely to engage
in such behaviors than are their experienced but never pregnant peers. For Ms,
but not for Fs, early age at first intercourse is associated with increased
involvement in problem behaviors. Implications for policy & interventions
for adolescents at risk are discussed.
[Source: SA]
Oetting, Eugene R. 1992. “Planning Programs for Prevention of Deviant Behavior: A Psychosocial Model.” Drugs and Society vol. 6, pp. 313-344.
Abstract: Presents a
psychosocial model of adolescent deviant behavior that is based on peer cluster
theory and aimed at the prevention of such behavior. The model shows that the
major influences on a youth that can encourage or prevent deviance are the
family, school, and peer clusters. The influence of secondary socialization
links, including the community, religion, extended family, peers, and the media
are considered. Issues related to conformity and planning prevention programs
are addressed. [Source: PI]
Downs, W. R. and J. F. Robertson. 1991. “Random Versus Clinical Samples: A Question of Inference.” Journal of Social Service Research vol. 14, pp. 57-83.
Abstract: A study included a
clinical sample (N = 127) and a stratified random sample (N = 114) of adolescents,
aged 13 to 17. Multiple regression was performed with delinquency as the
dependent variable and family dynamics, parental alcohol use, and type of
sample as the independent variables. Interaction terms were constructed by
multiplying each regressor by type of sample (coded 0 = random sample, 1 =
clinical sample). The interaction terms for three family dynamics variables
(organization, intellectual-cultural orientation, and moral-religious emphasis)
were statistically significant, indicating that the relationship between these
regressors and delinquency differed significantly across type of sample.
Consequently, within-sample regressions were performed. Family conflict was the
only statistically significant predictor of delinquency in the stratified
random sample (R*super* 2 = .32). Thus no common predictor of delinquency was
found across sample type. These findings call into question the
generalizability of random sample results to clinical populations. [Source: SA]
Merrell, Arthur R. 1991. “Developing a Pastoral Care Program for Use in the Juvenile Justice System.” Thesis, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Abstract: A study of
facilities in the juvenile justice system indicates that the pastoral care
program would be more effective with delinquent youth if: (1) program emphasis
was changed from delivering services to institutions to "tracking"
individual youngsters through a series of institutions; and (2) if our
catechetical materials, sermons, and liturgical worship would take into
consideration the fact that these youth do not come from traditional families
or communities. The church might have more influence among these young people
if it were perceived to be less the agent that calls to repentance than the place
that facilitates personal change.
[Source: RI]
Haga, Frances Ogden Foreman Garber. 1990. “Staying in or Getting Out: "Importation," Behavior, Coercive Program Assignment and Length of Stay in Juvenile Training Schools.” Ph.d. Thesis, North Carolina State University.
Abstract: Using data from
the North Carolina Division of Youth Services computerized Management
Information System for 590 students exiting the five North Carolina training
schools in 1985, this study used regression analysis and path modeling to
examine the impact of family structure, family problems, religious affiliation,
recidivism, seriousness of committing offense, age at the time of admission,
race, gender, behavior, emotional and learning problems, school achievement
levels, and intelligence on assaultiveness rates in training school, social
involvement beyond training school routines, non- assaultive training school
rule breaking, assignment to more restrictive/coercive programs within the
training school settings, and total length of stay. Testing John Irwin's
"importation" challenge to Erving Goffman's model for coercive
control in total institutions such as prisons and mental hospitals, this study
found statistically significant direct effects for family structure, age, race,
gender, and intelligence, as well as indirect effects for family problems and
race on training school program outcomes. After students behavior was taken
into account with statistical controls, the direct effects of imported
background characteristics were attributed to the labeling effects of staff
perceptions, decisions and responses. Female students and white students
received more coercive/restrictive program assignments than did males or black
students. Students from one and two parent families spent fewer months in North
Carolina training schools than did students with no families. During years
where student release was earned through a point-and- level behaviorally
oriented residential program, the variables tested accounted for 49% of the
variation in levels of coercive/restrictive program assignment and 22% of the
variation in total months in training school. Assaultive students received
higher levels of restrictive program placement. Students with higher levels of
coercive/restrictive program placement spent fewer months in training school. [Source: DA]
Warren, Michael. 1990. “Cultural Coding in the Young: The Ongoing Dilemma.” Listening vol. 25, pp. 47-60.
Zide, Marilyn Rudes. 1990. “Social Bonds: Running to, Running from, Thrown out, and Forsaken Youth.” Ph.d. Thesis, Barry University School of Social Work.
Abstract: Psychosocial
scales based on the Social Bond construct were developed, tested, revised, and
administered to runaway and homeless youths. These scales were used to explore
the antecedents of runaway behaviors. Of the 261 survey participants, 163 were
male and 98 were female, and these represented a major accessible group of
runaway and homeless youth. Some 71% of these youths were clients of the three
South Florida area shelters, while 29% were considered "street kids"
or those youths "living on the street." This study developed an
extended typology that explains the differences in behavior of the runaway and
homeless youth. More specifically, the typology defined and predicted which
type of homeless youth would have specific difficulties and problems. In
addition, problems related to school delinquency, criminal behavior, drug
and/or alcohol use, and attachment/bonding within their families were defined.
One-half of the runaway and homeless youths who participated in this survey
reported leaving home for the first time before they were 14 years old. Over
fifty percent of the youths reported being out of their home for at least a
year, and the mean time out of the home for this population was almost two
years. The longest time reported spent out of the home was 12 years. The
Pearson's Correlation analyzed the associations among the variables and the 13
psychosocial scales used. Notably, significant correlations were found between
the scales Mother Bond, School bond, Criminal History and Drug use. Of
importance to the social bond construct was the finding that the strongest
correlations revolved around bonds with the youths mother and father. This
suggested that strong parental attachment helped reduce the youths involvement
in criminal behavior, drug use and minor deviance. Religious affiliation also
played a central role in positive correlations with youths who rejected
involvement in criminal and drug behavior. The discriminate analysis procedure
was used to analyze the variables and classify the adolescents according to the
hypothesized groups. A step-wise discriminate analysis successfully classified
the runaway youths into the following categories: (1) "Running to"
youths--68.12%, (2) "Running from" youths-- 56%, (3) "Thrown
Out" youths--58.7%, and (4) "Forsaken" youths--51.1%. These
analyses suggest that a parsimonious collection of well-constructed
psychosocial scales, related to social and familial bonds, can be used to
identify and predict adolescents who are at risk of running away from home, or
who find themselves homeless due to certain conditions, situations and
circumstances. These findings can help enhance the development of effective
social welfare policies, program development, and future research designs. In
addition, important implications for social work practice directed toward
reducing consequences associated with youths who are without a home and who are
in serious peril of becoming the next "cardboard generation" can be
implemented. [Source: DA]
Bainbridge, William Sims. 1989. “The Religious Ecology of Deviance.” American Sociological Review vol. 54, pp. 288-295.
Cochran, John K. 1989. “Another Look at Delinquency and Religiosity.” Sociological Spectrum vol. 9, pp. 147-162.
Abstract: A homogeneous
effects logistic regression technique for ordinal response dependent variables
is employed to test the relationships between religiosity & several forms
of delinquent behavior, using data from self-report questionnaires completed by
a sample of 3,065 male & female adolescents in grades 7-12 in 3 midwestern
states. Strong support for the hypothesis is observed. [Source: SA]
McGee, Linda. 1989. “Longitudinal Influence of Adolescent Sensation Seeking Needs on General Deviant Behavior in Adolescence and Young Adulthood.” Ph.D. Thesis, University of Southern California.
Abstract: Longitudinal
structural modeling methods were used to examine the pattern of involvement in
deviant behaviors (for example, licit and illicit drug use, criminal and
delinquent activities) and attitudes (towards law abidance and religiosity)
across-time during the critical developmental period from adolescence to young
adulthood. The influence of adolescent Sensation Seeking needs on behaviors and
attitudes during this transitional period was also explored. Latent variable
methods were used to investigate the interrelationships between the latent
constructs of General Deviant Behavior and Sensation Seeking and among the
specific measured variables which reflected the latent constructs. From the
existing literature the behaviors and attitudes examined in this study were
hypothesized to covary and form a syndrome of problem behavior. Thus, they were
grouped together to reflect a latent variable of General Deviant Behaviors. A
latent variable was also hypothesized to represent the construct of Sensation
Seeking, composed of the four observed measures of boredom susceptibility,
disinhibition, experience seeking, and thrill and adventure seeking. These
analyses are based on data from a community sample of 595 males and females.
Three assessments were made during a five-year period. Two assessments were
made one-year apart in late adolescence. The third assessment was conducted
four years later when the subjects were young adults. Findings revealed that a
majority of the subjects used licit drugs, while about one-half used illicit
drugs, and substantial minority engaged in other delinquent or criminal
activities, such as fighting, stealing, destroying property, and getting in
trouble with authorities. In the longitudinal path models, Sensation Seeking
did not predict increases in the latent factor of General Deviance over-time.
The effects of Sensation Seeking on later behavior and attitudes were specific
and indirect rather than general and direct. Clear support was found for the
hypothesis that Sensation Seeking in adolescence generated increased young
adult licit drug use. Several other important and significant predictions were
found. For example, licit drug use during adolescence increased young adult
General Deviance, disinhibition led to negative attitudes towards law abidance
both one and five years later, and a negative attitude toward law abidance was
a potent predictor of later engagement in criminal activities. [Source: DA]
Schonert, Kimberly Anne. 1989. “The Relationships among Empathy, Social Participation and Moral Reasoning in Behaviorally Disordered Adolescent Males and Their Non-Disordered Peers.” Ph.d. Thesis, The University of Iowa.
Abstract: The purpose of the
present study was to compare behaviorally disordered (BD) adolescents and their
non- BD peers with respect to moral reasoning, empathy, and social
participation. In addition, the study explored the relationships among empathy,
moral reasoning, social participation, age, and socioeconomic status (SES)
within these two groups. Thirty-nine BD adolescent males and 39 of their non-BD
peers (matched for age, race, SES, and school) participated. All subjects were
individually administered measures designed to assess moral reasoning (via the
Defining Issues Test), empathy, social participation, and vocabulary in one
45-minute session. Results revealed that the BD adolescents were lower in
principled moral reasoning, empathy, and social participation than were their
matched non-BD peers. Higher percentages of BD youth than non-BD youth reported
coming from broken homes and having no religious affiliation. Unexpectedly, the
BD students were unable to adequately complete the vocabulary test.
Justifications given by the BD students for not being able to complete the test
indicated that these students possessed low self-confidence with regard to
their academic capabilities. In both the BD and non-BD groups, empathy and
moral reasoning were significantly related, as were empathy and age. SES was
found to be related to principled moral reasoning in BD students. No
significant relationship between participation in activities (number of
organizations, clubs, teams or groups) and moral reasoning was evidenced in
either group. BD students reported having less frequent contacts with friends
as well as poorer relationships with siblings, peers, and parents than did
non-BD students. Surprisingly, BD adolescents reported having numbers of close
friends comparable to the numbers reported by their non-BD peers; this suggests
that BD youth do not accurately perceive the deficits existing in their
interpersonal relationships. The results were discussed in relation to
Kohlberg's cognitive developmental theory of moral development and Selman's theory
of perspective-taking. The role of the family and the peer group in
facilitating the moral reasoning of BD youth was also discussed. [Source: DA]
Terrell, Phillip Joseph. 1989. “Students' Perception of Juvenile Gangs in a Selected Gulf Coast School District.” Ph.d. Thesis, The University of Southern Mississippi.
Abstract: The research
ascertained if there was a significant difference in perception among three
groups (gang members, recruits, and uninvolved youth) regarding seven
contributing factors such as socio-economic status, unemployment of teenagers,
lack of access to adequate recreational facilities, member of single parent
home, need for social acceptance, lack of access to positive role models, and
religious exposure in helping to explain why youths join juvenile gangs. The
study also includes an ancillary analysis ascertaining if there was a
significant difference in perception among self- proclaimed juvenile gang
members in school and documented gang members incarcerated in a county jail of
the same geographic area when using the contributing factors in helping to
explain why youth join juvenile gangs. Based on the findings, the research concluded
that there was a significant difference in perceptions among gang members,
recruits, and uninvolved youth regarding student membership in single parent
home and religious exposure in helping to explain why teenagers join juvenile
gangs. There was no significant difference in perceptions among gang members,
recruits, and uninvolved youth regarding social acceptance, positive role
models, socio-economic status, teenage high unemployment, and lack of adequate
recreational facilities in helping to explain why teenagers join juvenile
gangs. In addition, there was no significant difference in perception among
self-proclaimed gang members and documented gang members incarcerated regarding
the seven contributing factors in helping to explain why youth join juvenile
gangs. All data for the study were collected through an instrument designed,
constructed and validated by the researcher. The data were in the form of
Likert scale choices made by the respondents. Multiple linear regression was
used in treatment of the data involving three groups and a T-test was used in
the treatment of the data involving two groups of the ancillary analysis. [Source: DA]
Allanach, Robert C. 1988. “This Hurting Place: Character Alchemy and the Prodigal Adolescent.” Thesis, Andover Newton Theological School.
Abstract: The author argues
that the legalistic, sociological and psychoanalytic approaches to treatment of
the troublesome adolescent are flawed. This group of counselees is the most
common group in inpatient psychotherapy. They manifest behavioral and
anti-social problems as well as serious academic and family difficulties. The
author provides a theory of the adolescent's psychic life. He proposes a
promising alternative treatment that is multi-faceted. It insists that
adolescents grow into adults by becoming responsible for their own behavior.
Finally, the paper provides a therapeutic rationale and theological basis for
the chaplain, church counselor and/or advocate that is faced with the challenge
of ministry to the troublesome adolescent and his or her family. [Source: RI]
Cochran, John K. 1988a. “The Effect of Religiosity on Secular and Ascetic Deviance.” Sociological Focus vol. 21, pp. 293-306.
Abstract: Stephen R.
Burkett's & Mervin White's claim (see SA 23:4/75H5537) that nonascetic
behaviors such as premarital sex & substance use, which are not
consistently disapproved of in secular settings, are more likely than personal
or property crimes to be affected by religiosity is explored using 1970s survey
data on self-reported delinquency & substance use from M & F adolescents
(N = 3,065) in grades 7-12 in 3 midwestern states. Results of a logistic
regression analysis indicate that the deviance-inhibiting impact of religiosity
is more generalized than previously suggested.
[Source: SA]
Cochran, John Kerr. 1988b. “The Variable Effects of Religiosity on Deviant Behavior.” Thesis, University of Florida, Gainesville.
Demartino, Richard Albert. 1988. “School Aged Juvenile Sexual Offenders: A Descriptive Study of Self-Reported Personality Characteristics, Depression, Familial Perceptions and Social History.” Psy.d. Thesis, State University of New York At Albany.
Abstract: Conspicuously
lacking in the current literature on juvenile sexual offenders is standardized
psychometric measurement of the variables described as relevant by clinicians.
The present study is an extension of currently available research and represents
an effort to broaden the data base on juvenile sexual offenders. The present
study investigated several aspects of self-reported characteristics of sexual
offenders, aged 13-19, including: (1) personality variables, (2) structured
interview data focusing on demographic and socio-historical information, (3)
symptoms of depression, and (4) perceptions of family functioning. Thirty male
adolescents at the St. Anne Institute Juvenile Sexual Offender Project were
administered an assessment battery consisting of a structured interview, the
Millon Adolescent Personality Inventory (MAPI), the Children's Depression
Inventory (CDI), and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales
(FACES-III). Results indicate that few subjects were from intact homes. Most experienced
the separation/divorce of parents. The majority had no involvement in church or
religious activities. Medical findings, including medication, broken bones,
significant illnesses and sleep problems were noted. A large proportion were
first-born children. Most subjects had death/loss experiences, and early sexual
experiences, including their own experiences of being physically and sexually
abused. The majority had been retained in school and had received
remedial/special educational assistance. While the majority of subjects
reported one victim, a substantial number reported many victims and numerous
incidents. In assessing personality variables, the following picture emerged:
juvenile sexual offenders tend to see themselves as discontented, pessimistic,
excitable, with poor self concepts, low personal esteem, lacking in family
rapport and having poor impulse control. They do not report depressive
symptomatology. Perceived view of the family indicated that the majority saw
their families as imbalanced and unsatisfying. This was true even for their
idealized family, suggesting feelings of hopelessness and pessimism. Clearly,
juvenile sex offenders tend to come from dysfunctional families. Although the
mechanism is uncertain, a cyclical pattern of adolescent sexual offending
emerged. Methodological concerns and future research directions are discussed.
The implications of the present research for the treatment of adolescent sexual
offenders is described. [Source: DA]
Jackson, Mary Speed. 1988. “Drug Use and Delinquency in the Black Male Adolescent: A Descriptive Study.” Ph.d. Thesis, Case Western Reserve University.
Abstract: The present study
was conducted in two phases and utilized a survey design to gather information
on alcohol and drug use patterns among black, male, juvenile delinquents in
Ohio. A randomly selected sample of 248 incarcerated youths, ranging in age
from 12 to 20 years and representing all eight of Ohio's male juvenile
correctional facilities, served as participants. Data obtained during the
quantitative phase of the study indicated that 90% of the participants had used
some illicit mood altering substance; over 80% were using multiple substances;
depending on the substance, between 30% and 46% of the users reported daily
use; and the average age at initial use was approximately 12 years. Alcohol use
tended to precede by about 5 months the use of other illicit substances. Three
quarters of the committing offenses among the delinquents were money-related,
suggesting that criminal behavior may be serving to support substance use.
Increased frequency of substance use was associated negatively with age at
initial use and positively with parental awareness of the relationships were
observed between drug use and family intactness, religiosity, or severity of
criminal offense. Qualitative impressions gathered from the youths and
correctional staff suggested that youths held highly negative, intropunitive
attitudes toward the self, which staff tended to reinforce. Further, it
appeared that problems of impulse control among the adolescents may have
stemmed, in part, from nihilistic preoccupation with self-views reflecting
unworthiness and inefficacy. Staff views centered on their frustrations and
diminished feelings of competency to effect change in the adolescents, which
appeared to translate into lack of regard for the delinquents. Implications of
these dynamics were discussed, and suggestions for more appropriate and
effective intervention with the black, male, delinquent population were
recommended. [Source: DA]
Levine, Murray and Simon I. Singer. 1988. “Delinquency, Substance Abuse, and Risk Taking in Middle-Class Adolescents.” Behavioral Sciences and the Law vol. 6, pp. 385-400.
Abstract: Tested the
hypothesis that risk-taking attitudes are strong predictors of delinquency and
substance abuse among male and female middle-class adolescents. 715 high school
students completed a survey instrument, including self-reports of delinquent
conduct and drug and alcohol use and measures of attachment to and involvement
in family, school, church, and employment. Attitudes toward risk-taking, alone
and in groups, were also measured. Data show that risk-taking measures make
strong and independent contributions to predicting self-reported delinquency
and drug and alcohol use, even taking into account bonding to family and school
and attitudes toward religious faith and employment. A measure of involvement
with delinquent peer groups also predicts delinquency and drug and alcohol
use. [Source: PI]
Watson, Charles G., Teresa Kucala, Victor Manifold, Mark Juba, and et al. 1988. “The Relationship of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to Adolescent Illegal Activities, Drinking, and Employment.” Journal of Clinical Psychology vol. 44, pp. 592-598.
Abstract: Compared the
self-reported incidences of adolescent legal problems, drinking, employment,
and church attendance in 116 male psychiatric patients with and without
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and in 28 normal controls. Data raise
doubts about the validity of the theory that PTSD is at least partially a
result of pretraumatic personality maladjustment. [Source: PI]
Benson, Warren S. and Mark H. III Senter, (eds.). 1987. The Complete Book of Youth Ministry. Chicago: Moody.
Abstract:A theology of youth
ministry, W Benson. The youth culture
in sociological perspective, A Campolo.
Faith shaping: bringing youth to spiritual maturity, P Downs. A history of American youth ministry, D
Borgman. Societal patterns that
contribute to adolescent problems, B Klaus.
The person of the youth minister, P Borthwick. The youth minister and the senior pastor, W Stewart and W Yaeger. Women in youth ministry, C Cistola. Interns
and part-time youth ministers, S Strodel.
The church without a youth minister, R Choun, Jr. Leadership development of lay leaders, M
Wickstrom. Developing leadership
potential in youth: motivating youth for ministry, L Christie. Axioms of youth ministry, M Senter,
III. Stages of youth ministry, D
Spader. Models of youth ministry, M
Senter, III. Starting a youth ministry
from scratch, J Burns. The first six
months of a youth ministry, S Benson.
Pulling off the long-term ministry with youth, W Stewart. Evangelism through youth ministry, R
Caldwell. Speaking to high school
students, D Webster and Jana Sundene.
Working with parents of youth, C Bradshaw. Effective youth retreats, J Price and R Price. Strategies for summer camp as a part of the
church ministry, M Risley. Music in the
young church, S Salsbury. How to plan
and lead a student mission trip, R Burns.
Principles of student counseling, D Carlson. Youth in personal Bible
study, J Byron. Youth and the Sunday
school, E Gadd. Dynamics of small group
Bible studies, D Rydberg. New
Christians, delight or dilemma?, D Busby.
Denominational and interchurch activities, R Ross. Junior high ministries, W Rice. The use of video in youth ministry, J Adkins
and M Smith. [Source: RI]
Betts, Margaret Ernestine. 1987. “A Comparison of Cognitive Ability and Religious Knowledge in Lds Nondelinquent and Delinquent Students.” Ph.d. Thesis, Brigham Young University.
Abstract: This study
investigated differences in cognitive ability, religious knowledge, and
attitudes toward religion in delinquent and non-delinquent male adolescent
members of the LDS Church. Two groups of randomly selected LDS non-delinquents,
26 from a junior high school Seminary and 25 from a senior high school
Seminary, were compared with 23 delinquent LDS adolescents randomly selected
from the Utah State Correctional System. Delinquents scored significantly lower
than non-delinquents in critical thinking ability, ability to use abstract
thought, and in religious knowledge. Delinquents also showed a less positive
attitude toward LDS Church doctrine than non-delinquents. Findings suggest that
delinquent adolescents have lower cognitive ability, less religious knowledge,
and a poorer attitude toward church doctrine than non-delinquents. [Source: DA]
Forliti, John E. and Peter L. Benson. 1986. “Young Adolescents: A National Study.” Religious Education vol. 81, pp. 199-224.
Abstract: Surveyed 8,165
5th-9th graders and 10,467 of their parents who belonged to 13 Protestant and
Catholic youth-serving organizations about such topics as family life, school,
the community, developmental processes, and the church. Results show that both
parents and youth desired more communication with each other, particularly on
the topic of moral values. Connections to church and religion were related to
prosocial action, as were certain parenting practices (e.g., nurturance,
democratic control). Sexual intercourse, drug use, and antisocial behavior
among youth were related to less emphasis on religion and less nurturance and
support from parents. The majority of youth saw religion as important, although
it was less important to boys than to girls. A restrictive religious
orientation was found to be tied to antisocial behavior, alcohol use, racism,
and sexism. [Source: PI]
Sloane, Douglas M. and Raymond H. Potvin. 1986. “Religion and Delinquency: Cutting through the Maze.” Social Forces vol. 65, pp. 87-105.
Abstract: Research on the
relationship between religion & delinquency has produced contradictory
results. Recent attempts to reconcile these findings have involved arguments
that where, or in what social context, the religion-delinquency association is
measured can affect the results. It is shown that how that association is
measured can have an even more basic impact on the findings. Interview data
from 1,121 US adolescents are used to describe & test the significance of
religion-delinquency associations. Analysis reveals weak associations for some
offenses but not others, & even these vary according to how religion is measured.
When odds ratios & more sensitive tests of significance are employed,
strong effects of religion are found on all offenses regardless of how it is
measured. [Source: SA]
Thompson, Kevin Mark. 1986. “Testing Strain and Control Theories of Delinquency and Substance Use in Various Religious Climates: Purposeful Rebellion or Weakened Barriers.” Ph.d. Thesis, The University of Arizona.
Abstract: The purpose of
this study is four-fold: (1) to test delinquency theories in social settings
that vary by their degree of religiousness; (2) to determine whether
delinquency causal processes vary according to the nature of religious ecology;
(3) to assess whether variation exists in the rates and types of adolescent
offenses committed in these settings; and (4) whether these offenses are a
response to unique influences in each context. Religious ecology is measured by
tapping a dimension of school religious characteristics, including a school's
level of religiousness and a school's religious group composition. Adolescent
boys who are exposed to the confines of schools that are predominantly
irreligious or disproportionately low in orthodoxy are significantly more
likely to engage in delinquency than boys from more moral or highly orthodox
schools. Experiences in fundamentalist reference groups also protects
youngsters against engaging in substance use episodes, including harmful drugs
such as cocaine. These patterns are independent of demographic characteristics
such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, family size and community size. To
account for religious ecological differences in problem behavior, strain and
control theories of delinquency are tested. These testing procedures reveal little
support for processes advocated by strain theorists. Not only is structural and
interactionist induced strain not correlated with delinquency and substance
use, but discrepancies between cultural expectations and perceived realization
of these goals do not lead to psychosocial frustration and tension, as implied
in many strain models. Control models more aptly account for delinquency and
substance use variation in various religious climates, but the strength of
religious, school, and family effects varies with the type of offense and the
measure of religious ecology. If we measure religious ecology by the nature of
denominational composition, religiosity has a uniform effect on delinquency.
However, religiosity's effect in settings that vary by religious level is to
more strongly inhibit chronic offending in secular disorganized communities.
Involvement in delinquency and substance use is probabilistically less likely
in moral and highly orthodox settings because religion's social expression is
stronger, the broken home phenomenon is weaker and potentially harmful school
behaviors and attitudes are unrelated to delinquency in these settings. [Source: DA]
Wright, Stuart A., Elizabeth S. Piper, Ken Rigby, and Tony R. Densley. 1986. “Families and Cults: Familial Factors Related to Youth Leaving or Remaining in Deviant Religious Groups.” Journal of Marriage and the Family vol. 48, pp. 15-25.
Abstract: Studied 45 members
of and 45 defectors from 3 highly controversial religious cults (Unification
Church, Hare Krishna, and Children of God) to assess the extent of family
influence on decisions to remain or withdraw. Findings reveal a strong
correlation between measures of family affinity and choices by Ss. Important
differences between leavers and stayers were shown with regard to perceived
parental attitudes toward involvement, prior familial closeness, and adolescent
experiences with families. Parental disapproval was found to be the most
important variable in explaining disaffiliation. A re-examination of the
alleged link between cult involvement and family deprivation--a causal
connection not supported by the present study--is suggested. [Source: PI]
Peek, Charles W., Evans W. Curry, and H. Paul Chalfant. 1985. “Religiosity and Delinquency over Time: Deviance Deterrence and Deviance Amplification.” Social Science Quarterly vol. 66, pp. 120-131.
Abstract: Both
cross-sectionally & over time, religiosity deters self-reported delinquent
conduct in a national panel of 817 white high school Ms interviewed as
sophomores, juniors, & seniors (drawn from the larger study by Bachman,
Jerald G., O'Malley, Patrick M., & Johnston, Jerome, Youth in Transition,
Vol 6. Adolescence to Adulthood - Change and Stability in the Lives of Young
Men, Ann Arbor: U of Michigan Instit for Social Research, 1979). However, a
deviance-amplification effect of religiosity is also noticeable: decreases from
high sophomore religiosity are associated with greater senior delinquency than
would be expected by simply the removal of religious deterrence. Implications
for further research on the deviance-amplification effect of religiosity are
discussed. [Source: SA]
Madge, Elizabeth M. 1984. “A Differential and Structural Analysis of Aggressiveness in High School Pupils.” Thesis, University of South Africa, Pretoria.
Shields, Joseph J. 1984. “Religion and Delinquent Behavior: A Study of Adolescents.” Thesis, Catholic University of America.
Elifson, Kirk W., David M. Petersen, and C. Kirk Hadaway. 1983. “Religiosity and Delinquency: A Contextual Analysis.” Criminology: An Interdisciplinary Journal vol. 21, pp. 505-527.
Abstract: Interviewed 600
12-28 yr old White suburban students attending public school in the Atlanta,
Georgia, area, using a variety of religious and delinquency measures. In spite
of a relatively strong zero-order relationship between a number of religiosity
and delinquency measures, within a multivariate context religion's contribution
as an independent variable was not significant. [Source: PI]
Tittle, Charles R. and Michael R. Welch. 1983. “Religiosity and Deviance: Toward a Contingency Theory of Constraining Effects.” Social Forces vol. 61, pp. 653-682.
Abstract: Examines
perspectives on the relationship between individual religiosity and deviance
and identifies contextual properties thought to condition the relationship.
Hypothesized linkages between these contextual variables and the strength of
relationship between religiosity and 9 types of deviant behavior were tested.
Data were drawn from a survey of the populations (all residents 15 yrs or
older) of Iowa, New Jersey, and Oregon (N = 1,993). Results indicate that the
religiosity-deviance relationship varied predictably across sociodemographic
contexts, but not always in directions suggested by extant theories. Individual
religiosity appeared to constrain deviant behavior most effectively in
environments characterized by general normative ambiguity, low social
integration, generalized perceptions of low peer conformity, and a relatively high
proportion of religious nonaffiliates. An integrated interpretation of these
counterintuitive findings suggests that religious participation can operate as
a unique deviance inhibitor only when conformity inducing mechanisms
characteristic of religious communities are not reproduced in the larger
community. Hence the impact of religious constraints is increased where secular
controls are absent or weak. [Source:
PI]
Stark, Rodney, Lori Kent, and Daniel P. Doyle. 1982. “Religion and Delinquency: The Ecology of a 'Lost' Relationship.” Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency vol. 19, pp. 4-24.
Whiting, Brooke Elizabeth. 1982. “Determinants and Consequences of Mattering in the Adolescents' Social World.” Ph.d. Thesis, University of Maryland College Park.
Abstract: The importance of
Others to the Self has been well established in the social psychological
literature and concepts from both the Symbolic Interactionist and the Reference
Group perspectives have been used to describe this phenomenon. However, the
reciprocal concept, the Self's importance to the Other has been a largely
neglected issue until M. Rosenberg's and B. Claire McCullogh's (1979) pioneer
research on parental mattering. Mattering was defined as the individual's
judgements that they are the object of concern, attention or interest to the
other. The present study examined other indivduals in the adolescents' social
world as sources of mattering and compared the determinants and consequences of
mattering to them with those of parental mattering. Variables to operationalize
perceptions of mattering to parents, teachers, friends, siblings and globally
were defined and posited as intervening between the socio-demographic variables
(Race, Religion and Socio-Economic Level) and the outcome variables (Self
Esteem, Self Concept of School Ability, Depression and Rebellious Behavior in
School). Data from a nationwide study on tenth-grade boys in 1968 and a path
analytic technique were utilized to examine the relationships. Only some of the
hypotheses were confirmed. The results revealed: (a) mattering to one or more
of the sources affected all of the outcome variables, corresponding with
increased self esteem and self concept of school ability and decreased
depression and rebellious behavior in school, (b) parental mattering exhibited
the strongest and most consistent impact on the outcome variables, (c) although
mattering to the other sources did not emerge to be as significant as expected
there is some modest support for the application of the principle, which
predicts that the differential strength of mattering on an outcome will be
contingent upon the area of source expertise, (d) socio-economic level was the
only socio-demographic variable with a consistently strong impact, and this was
only evident for parental mattering, (e) a subsample analysis by race revealed
that the process of mattering may be radically different between blacks and
whites, (f) the reciprocal effects model indicated that global self-esteem and
the self concept of school ability had nearly equivalent effects on each
other. [Source: DA]
Herrick, Susan Carol. 1981. “Sibling Violence: Does Piety Make a Difference?” Paper presented at Association for the Sociology of Religion (ASR), 1981.
Abstract: The relationship
between level of piety & level of violence between siblings was researched using
a secondary analysis of survey data gathered by Straus (1974) on a sample of
345 U students reporting on their home situations in their last year of high
school. Piety, the independent variable, encompasses three aspects: the
associational, orthodox, & devotional (Lenski, 1961: Stark & Glock,
1968). It is operationalized in terms of an index calculated on the basis of
answers to questions regarding: (1) the frequency of church attendance &
(2) the frequency with which one consults God when faced with difficult
decisions. Sibling violence, the dependent variable, is measured by responses
to questions regarding the use of violent acts such as kicking, pushing,
throwing an object, etc, to resolve conflicts with a sibling. SES, the sex of
the R, & husband-wife dominance were used as control variables. Examined
are the effects of: the R's piety upon level of violence with a sibling;
mother's & father's piety upon sibling violence; & level of family
piety homogeneity upon sibling violence. Findings suggest that in pious
families where father's dominance is less than or equal to mother's, sons tend
to be above average in violence toward a sibling. [Source: SA]
Shapiro, David Jay. 1980. “The Factorial Invariance of the Behavioral Research and Evaluation Corporation's Self-Report Delinquency Scale across Age and Sex.” Ph.d. Thesis, Hofstra University.
Abstract: This study
investigated the generalizability (invariance) of the factor structure, across
age and sex, of the Behavioral Research and Evaluation Corporation's (BREC)
Self-Report Delinquency Scale. An invariant factor solution refers to a factor
pattern in one study which is the "same" factor pattern that emerges
in a second study when the same variables are used in both studies. A
self-report measure of delinquency was used to overcome the biases,
inaccuracies and distortions that often accompany official data (viz., police,
court, FBI records). While self-report studies are viewed as a breakthrough in
criminological research, little attention has been directed toward analyzing
the internal (factor) structure of a scale which is important in determining
the reliability (internal consistency) of that scale, and also its
generalizability across populations. This process is a necessary part of
validating a test or scale. A multi-method approach to the invariance problem
is warranted when analyzing empirical data; therefore, this study used
principal components analysis, multiple group factor analysis, congruence
coefficients, and RELATE (a computer program to provide an orthogonal
procrustes solution) in comparing the factor structure of the BREC delinquency
scale across subpopulations. The BREC scale consists of 28 items representing
self- reported acts of antisocial behavior. The BREC scale was administered to
youth who were enrolled in grades 7-12, from public, private, religious and
alternative school programs in two Nassau County communities. The 3.967 youth who
participated in the study were divided into six groups on the basis of age and
sex. Each subsample was first analyzed using principal component analysis. The
number of substantial components was determined by Cattell's scree test. One
large and two smaller components emerged in each subsample. Due to the
existence of a large first component in all subpopulations, a multiple group
factor analysis was used to extract all 28 variables on the basis of a general
factor hypothesis. Congruence coefficients were computed to assess the degree
of similarity between all pairs of subsamples on the multiple group factor. For
all subsamples, the residual correlation matrix from the multiple group factor
analysis was analyzed using principal components analysis to test for the
existence of group components. Two substantial bipolar components were found to
exist in each subsample. Congruence coefficients were computed to assess the
degree of similarity between all pairs of same age and same sex subsamples on
the two group components. The results from this study indicate that a general
factor of deliquency exists for all age by sex subpopulations. The general
factor was found to be invariant across all subsamples. When the influence of
the general factor was removed, a circular relationship (circumplex) was
statistically defined between four subsets of the variables. These subsets were
characterized by antisocial behaviors relating to: "hard drugs,"
"soft drugs," "vandalism," and "violence." While
there were substantial similarities between pairs of same age and pairs of same
sex subsamples, the patterns of interrelationships among variables changed to
some degree across subgroups. The findings of this study represented a
significant departure from results obtained in previous research related to the
structure of antisocial behavior. Methodological and administrative differences
among studies of self-report delinquency are discussed, and it was hypothesized
that the procedures used to analyze the data are central to the discrepancies
found in the literature. Strategies are suggested for future research that are
necessary to the validation of the present findings and to the resolution of
some of the discrepancies that exist between studies of self-report
delinquency. [Source: DA]
Albrecht, Stan L., Bruce A. Chadwick, and David S. Alcorn. 1977. “Religiosity and Deviance: Application of an Attitude-Behavior Contingent Consistency Model.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion vol. 16, pp. 263-274.
Abstract: Most investigators
have concluded that religion is largely irrelevant to understanding deviance,
but they have tended to rely on bivariate research models. Studies dealing with
the problems of predicting behavior from measures of verbal attitudes suggest
that religious attitudes must be combined with other social situational
constraints for a better understanding of behavioral outcomes. Using
questionnaire data on (a) engagement in 10 different deviant acts, and (b)
religious participation, collected from 244 Mormon teenagers, good prediction
of deviance was obtained when religious indicators were combined with measures
of peer and family relationships. Consistent with the expectations of S.
Burkett and M. White (see record 1975-27297-001), religious variables were more
strongly related to victimless than to victim deviance. Peer and family
expectations were more important for victim deviance, especially for boys. [Source: PI]
Donovan, John E. 1977. “A Typological Study of Self-Reported Deviance in a National Sample of Adolescents.” Thesis, University of Colorado.
Higgins, P. C. and G. L. Albrecht. 1977. “Hellfire and Delinquency Revisited.” Social Forces pp. 952-958.
Abstract: Although Hirschi
and Stark (1969) concluded that religiosity is unrelated to delinquency, their
findings and a replication of their study in the Pacific Northwest (Burkett and
White, 1974) may not be generalizable to other areas of the country. Using
self-report data from 1,383 Atlanta, Georgia, tenth-graders in 1970, a moderate
negative relationship was found between church attendance and delinquent
behavior. These data also suggested a causal structure in which respect for the
juvenile court system links church attendance with delinquency. Church
attendance may be a truer reflection of adolescents' religious experience in
the South than in the West, thus accounting for the differences between the
present findings and those of previous research. (Journal abstract, edited. Eli
S. Levy.) [Source: SA]
Bloch, Richard and Steven I. Miller. 1976. “Educational, Social and Religious Behavior of Middle-Class Suburban Youth.” Revista Internacional de Sociologia vol. 34, pp. 163-177.
Abstract: The purpose is to
determine what variables are related to the contextual effects of schooling
& in what way school variables are related to delinquent behavior. The
study was conducted in 1972 on 1,105 teenage respondents in Skokie, Ill. The
results showed that while most of the respondents could be classified as basically
content youngsters, some tensions were noted between the teenagers & their
parents & school administrators. Age, attitudes, & behavior were
strongly related. Older respondents to the questionnaire tended to commit more
criminal acts than younger ones, defined as under the age of fifteen. The
increase in delinquency was attributed to lack of facilities for older
teenagers & maturation problems. While in Skokie (& Niles, Ill),
younger adolescents felt more positively about the quality of the education
they were getting (defined as "knowledge of the world" in the
questionnaire), in Evanston, Ill, it was the reverse. The overall conclusion is
that the now popular hypothesis of suburban living is associated with increased
rates of juvenile delinquency should be revised. Most of the upper middle class
teenagers who took part in this survey were essentially content with their
lives, schools, & community.
[Source: SA]
Rohrbaugh, John and Richard Jessor. 1975. “Religiosity in Youth: A Personal Control against Deviant Behavior?” Journal of Personality vol. 43, pp. 136-155.
Abstract: Tested the
hypothesis that religiosity would function as a personal control against transgression
in 475 high school students and 221 undergraduates. A measure of religiosity,
constructed to encompass its ideological, ritual, consequential, and
experiential aspects, was correlated with other measures of personal controls
as well as with a variety of personality, perceived environment, and behavioral
measures of deviance and of deviance proneness. Religiosity correlated
positively and significantly with other measures of personal controls and
negatively with measures of deviance proneness and deviant behavior. These
relationships held when controls for differences in social origin variables
were applied. Religiosity, as a cognitive attribute of personality, is best
considered to be uni- rather than multidimensional in nature. [Source: PI]
Burkett, Steven R. and Mervin White. 1974. “Hellfire and Delinquency: Another Look.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion vol. 13, pp. 455-462.
Abstract: Hirschi and Stark
(1969) reported very little relationship between religious involvement and
adolescent delinquency. They concluded
that religion is therefore "irrelevant to delinquency". the present paper offers an alternative
interpretation of their findings and tests one of its implications. It is hypotesized that Hirschi and Stark's
findings apply only to offenses against persons and property, and that a clear
relationship between religion and delinquency should be found for
"victimless" crimes. Data
from high-school students in the Pacific Northwest replicate Hirschi and
Stark's findings but also reveal a moderately strong relationship between
religion and the use of marijuana and alcohol.
Suggestions are made for further tests of the alternative
interpretation. [Source: RI]
Hirschi, Travis and Rodney Stark. 1973. “Hellfire and Delinquency.” Pp. 75-87 in Religion in Sociological Perspective, edited by C. Glock. Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth Pub. Co.
Ahmad, Mohammad Kh. 1971. “Religion and the Protection of Youth from Delinquency in Thought and Behaviour.” Pp. 379-389 in Fifth Conferene of the Academy Islamic Research, edited by M. Bisar. Cairo: General Organization for Govt. Print. Offices.
Gravley, Ernestine. 1970. “New Lives for Troubled Youth.” Christian Century vol. 87, pp. 1497-1498.
Rhodes, Albert Lewis and Albert J. Reiss, Jr. 1970. “The "Religious Factor" and Delinquent Behavior.” Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency vol. 7, pp. 83-98.
Abstract: A multivariate
model that assumes the effects of religious orientation & attendance for
adolescents & their fam's, the occup'al status of the fam, & the age
& fam structure of adolescents are additive is employed to test the effect
of religion on DEL & truant behavior. An onymous questionnaires were
obtained from 21,720 junior & senior HSch students representing over 90% of
the enrollment in the Nashville & Davidson County Tenn Sch systems. Any boy
or girl who was referred to the Davidson County Juvenile Court at some time
between their 12th birthday & 1 yr after the questionnaire was admin'ed,
& who was either officially or unofficially adjudged to be a DEL person is
counted in the numerator of the rate if there was a questionnaire for him
(her). The test shows that the life chances of being a DEL or truant depend
upon the religious orientation & participation of adolescents & their
fam's. Jews & nonfundamental Protestants have the lowest DEL'cy rates while
S's with no church affiliation have the highest rates. A higher than expected
rate for M Roman Catholics, however, remains unexplained. A test for the
additive properties of the model was limited to examining the rates of court
recorded DEL'cy for white M's. While several tests indicate that the effects of
the independent variables on DEL'cy are not altogether additive, the model gives
a first approximation to the actual measures of religious orientation &
DEL'cy or truancy. Further work on the relationship of religious factors to
deviant behavior is discouraged unless more refined measures of religious
orientation & of the quality of religious commitment & participation
are secured. [Source: SA]
Tobias, Jerry J. 1970. “Counseling the Affluent Suburban Male Delinquent.” National Catholic Guidance Conference Journal pp. 80-86.
Abstract: Ss were 200
suburban youth, 100 offenders, 100 controls. Significant characteristics of
offenders included behavioral changes, drop in academic achievement, lack of
participation in sports, part-time work or home chores, irregular or
nonattendance at church, few material needs unsatisfied, and little concern for
future home and career. Physically and/or psychologically broken homes seemed
to contribute to antisocial behavior. In addition, the delinquents' own reasons
included influence of friends, nothing to do, influence of mass media, poor
parental attitudes toward respect for law, right and wrong, no feeling of being
needed, adventure, impulse, parental overindulgence, and hypocrisy. Counselors
should recognize that small behavior deviations are symptomatic, that they are
dealing with fairly bright pupils, and that preventive programs in counseling
and occupations are needed. [Source:
PI]
Branson, Helen Kitchen. 1968. “In Church Every Sunday.” International Journal of Religious Education vol. 44, pp. 10-11.
McAllister, Joy Torstrup. 1968. “A Study of Delinquent Jewish Youth in Los Angeles County.” Ed.D. Thesis, University of California Los Angeles.
Scholl, Mason E. and Jerome Beker. 1964. “A Comparison of the Religious Beliefs of Delinquent and Nondelinquent Protestant Adolescent Boys.” Religious Education vol. 59, pp. 250-253.
Abstract: Questionnaire
study to compare religious beliefs of institutionalized Protestant delinquents
with a group of "normal" Protestant adolescents. [Source: PI]
Hoch, Erna M. 1962. “Delinquent Features in Children Examined at a Private Psychiatric Centre.” Journal of Correctional Work vol. 9, pp. 59-98.
Abstract: A detailed study
is presented of 22 delinquent and potentially delinquent children. Statistics
regarding age, education, religion and caste, parents occupation, sibling
position, psychiatric diagnosis, and delinquent behaviour are given.
Psychiatric diagnosis revealed mental deficiency epilepsy, postencephalatic,
and neurotic trends in the Ss. Case histories are based upon luxury neglect,
early pampering and later relative neglect, insufficient parental attention,
and rejection. [Source: PI]
Liu, William T. 1962. “Self Concept, Life Goal, and Anomia among Delinquents and Non-Delinquents.” American Catholic Sociological Review vol. 23, pp. 41-55.
Simms, David Mcd. 1962. “Communicating with the Adolescent Delinquent.” Journal of Educational Sociology vol. 35, pp. 221-227.
Hargraves, J. Archie. 1959. “Preventing Juvenile Delinquency: The Role of the Church.” Social Action vol. 26, pp. 18-25.
Heath, R. W., M. H. Maier, and H. H. Remmers. 1958. “Youth's Attitudes toward Various Aspects of Their Lives.” Purdue Opinion Panel Poll Report p. 24.
Abstract: The majority of
teenagers appear to be absorbing the values of the culture and reflect pretty
much the attitudes of the culture toward drinking, dating, divorce, religion,
and juvenile delinquency. [Source: PI]
Valentine, C. W. 1943. “Adolescence and Some Problems of Youth Training.” Nature London pp. 122-124.
Abstract: Questionnaire
responses of over 200 university students and autobiographical essays point to
great variation in the ages at which characteristic adolescent traits appear.
Items discussed are: adolescent moods of intense depression, feelings of
inferiority, self-consciousness, instability of intellectual interests, and
interest in vocational problems. Delinquency among boys reaches its peak at 13 years,
while among girls the peak age is appreciably later. Membership in youth clubs
and attendance at church and evening schools as such seem to exert little
causative influence in delinquency, but home discipline is a paramount factor. [Source: PI]
Caldwell, M. G. 1933. “Recent Trends in Juvenile Delinquency.” Journal of Juvenile Research vol. 17, pp. 179-190.
Abstract: The report
concerns 341 juvenile delinquents who appeared before the Juvenile Court of
Richland County, Mansfield, Ohio, during the period from 1923 to 1932,
inclusive. Stealing was the principal offense for the boys, sex offense for the
girls. The group differs from most similar ones described in the literature in
that it tended to be younger (the modal age was 15 years); only 29% of its
members came from broken homes; as many as 68% had completed the seventh grade;
very few came from families any member of which had an institution record or
showed socially defective tendencies; and first offenders and those who had had
no previous institution records constituted as much as 85% of the total. Urban
communities contributed a proportionally larger number of individuals to the
group than did the rural. Foreign born, native born, negro, Catholic,
Protestant, and Jewish groups seem to contribute only in the proportion in
which they occur in the population. Of the delinquents 42% were sent to a
correctional school--a frequency the author thinks too high in view of the
large number of first offenders involved.
[Source: PI]
Reinhardt, J. M. and F. V. Harper. 1931. “Comparison of Environmental Factors of Delinquent and Non-Delinquent Boys.” Journal of Juvenile Research pp. 271-277.
Abstract: 40 unselected
delinquent boys who came through the juvenile court at Grand Forks, North
Dakota, were compared with 40 boys selected at random from the school
population. The central trends of the findings for the former group differed
considerably from the trends noted in the latter as follows: the delinquents
had fewer club affiliations; they were members of larger families as well as
families having a predominance of males among the siblings; their families had
more often changed their domiciles, possessed fewer of the tools of culture
such as books, and attended church with less regularity; and their fathers were
not only more advanced in age but the disparity in the ages of the parents was
also greater. [Source: PI]
Baker, H. J., F. J. Decker, and A. S. Hill. 1929. “A Study of Juvenile Theft.” Journal of Educational Research vol. 20, pp. 81-87.
Abstract: A study of
convicted cases for theft in Detroit matched for age, grade and nationality of
fathers, with a control group selected from the schools. There were 94 cases in
each group. The factors showing no significant differences are economic status,
father's occupation, size of family, position of boy among siblings, roomers or
borders in the home, church attendance, health or injury, time in school,
change of schools, school marks, work and earning power of the boys, and
attendance at movies. The factors showing differences in favor of the control
group were age of parents at the birth of their children, unbroken homes, lack
of crowding in homes, general intelligence, supervision of play, correction of
physical defects, suitable playmates, and church affiliation. [Source: PI]