NCJ Number
128676
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 33 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1991) Pages: 45-60
Date Published
1991
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between attachment to peers and self-reported delinquency, noting the significance of the analysis for social learning theory and social control theory.
Abstract
Data for the study were taken from the Seattle Youth Study (1981). Questionnaire and interview data were collected from 847 white male respondents. The sample was stratified to obtain a sufficient number of subjects who had police records and youth court records. The study used an index of self-reported delinquency developed by Hirschi (1969). The Seattle Youth Study contained several measures of the nature of relationships between respondents and friends or peers. This study draws a distinction between items assessing the respondent's relationship with a single, best friend and items assessing the respondent's relationship with his friends (or "best friends") in general. The Pearson chi-square and Somers' d statistics are presented to summarize the bivariate relationships between measures of peer delinquency and self-reported delinquency and between measures of attachment to peers and self-reported delinquency. Consistent with prior research and with social learning theory, the study found that measures of peer involvement in delinquency are strongly and positively associated with self-reported delinquency. Measures of attachment to peers are less strongly associated with self-reported delinquency; however, consistent with social control theory, the study found that trust in friends and respect for friends are negatively associated with self-reported delinquency. Measures of attachment to a best friend are not significantly associated with self-reported delinquency. 5 tables and 20 references