NCJ Number
229226
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 37 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2010 Pages: 97-118
Date Published
January 2010
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This study examined whether family process mediated the relationship between religiosity and adolescent deviance.
Abstract
Results of the study indicate that family process did not mediate the relationship between religiosity and deviance. Relational practice was found to be a more robust predictor of deviant behavior than ritualistic participation. Future research should seek to utilize large, randomly selected, nationally representative samples from all geographic regions of the country and longitudinal designs to more effectively study this area. A considerable amount of research has been conducted on the nature of the relationship between both religiosity and family process with deviance. However, few studies investigate the interplay among religiosity (conceptualized as ritualistic participation and relational practice), family process, and deviance. This study tested the following questions: 1) Does family process mediate the relationship between religiosity and deviant behavior; 2) is this pattern of mediation moderated by sex; and 3) is this pattern of mediation moderated by age? Data were collected from 865 adolescents who attended a high school in the southeastern region of the United States. Figure, tables, and references