Predictive Factors for Juvenile Delinquency: The Role of Family Structure, Parental Monitoring and Delinquent Peers

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the role of family structure, parental monitoring and affiliation with delinquent peers in predicting juvenile delinquency. In this Cross-sectional study, 96 delinquent adolescents and 91 non-delinquent adolescents, chosen through a convenient sampling in Tehran, completed parental monitoring inventory and affiliation with delinquent peers scale. Data was analyzed using Logestic regression analysis. Reliability of the questionnaires verified using internal consistency and test-retest methods. Regarding Logestic regression analysis results, among predicting variables, family structure and affiliation with delinquent peers were significant predictors of juvenile delinquency. These factors could explain 29 to 39 percent of delinquency variance. Parental monitoring was also unable to predict delinquency, but it could significantly predict affiliation with delinquent peers. The results of the present study were in line with results of the previous researches and showed that distress in family structure and affiliation with delinquent peers have a significant role in the delinquency phenomenon. Therefore, it seems necessary to consider these factors as influential factors in promoting delinquency.