NCJ Number
212447
Journal
Youth & Society Volume: 37 Issue: 2 Dated: December 2005 Pages: 176-200
Date Published
December 2005
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This study explored the relationship between female juvenile delinquency, reputation enhancement, and bonds to parents.
Abstract
Early studies on female delinquency declared that parents’ degree of emotional closeness with daughters was the most powerful predictor of female delinquency. More recent studies have indicated a possible interaction between girls’ relationships with parents and the influence of peer groups on female delinquency. According to reputation enhancement theory, adolescents identify with different kinds of reputations based on their relationships with others. The current analysis examined whether reputation enhancement was a mitigating variable in girls’ bonds to parents and their engagement in delinquency and also whether girls’ bonds to parents moderated the relationship between reputation enhancement and delinquency. Participants were 188 female adolescents who completed a series of questionnaires assessing self-reported delinquency, social bonds with mother and father, and conscious self-image. Results of statistical analyses indicated support for the reputation enhancement theory. In particular, the findings revealed that reputation enhancement was a strong and direct predictor of delinquency among girls while the relationship between parental bonds and delinquency was exercised indirectly through reputation enhancement. Future research should focus on dissecting the aspects of close relationships that are most influential for reducing negative and promoting positive reputation enhancement beliefs among female adolescents. Tables, figures, references