RT Article
T1 Early Aggression and Later Delinquency: Considering the Redirecting Role of Good Parenting
JF Youth violence and juvenile justice
VO 15
IS 4
SP 374
OP 395
A1 Hay, Carter
A2 Widdowson, Alex O.
A2 Piquero, Alex R. 1970-
A2 Meldrum, Ryan Charles
LA English
YR 2017
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1744735190
AB Childhood aggression consistently predicts delinquency during adolescence, but research in this area reveals exceptions, with some highly aggressive children becoming relatively nondelinquent adolescents. This directs attention to the factors that explain why early aggression is sometimes not followed by later delinquency. This study considers that parenting marked by attachment, consistent monitoring, and the avoidance of harshness and hostility may be one such factor. This is considered with data from a sample of roughly 800 U.S. families, with analyses focused on 217 youth who were highest in aggression at 4-7 years of age. The analysis revealed substantial variation among aggressive youth in the quality of parenting that they received from ages 9 to 12. This variation helped explain variation in age 15 delinquency, with this relationship being mediated by adolescent levels of school bonds, susceptibility to peer pressure, and low self-control. We discuss the implications of these findings for theory, future research, and policy efforts to reduce delinquency among aggressive and antisocial children.
K1 Child aggression
K1 Delinquency
K1 Life Course
K1 Parenting
K1 Turning points
DO 10.1177/1541204016631805