Parental Socialization and Community Context: A Longitudinal Analysis of the Structural Sources of Low Self-Control

• NCJ Number: 206482
• Journal: Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 41 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2004 Pages: 219-243
• Author(s): Travis C. Pratt; Michael G. Turner; Alex R. Piquero
• Date Published: August 2004
• Length: 25 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined longitudinal data to assess community-level influences on parental socialization and self-control among youth.

Abstract

Previous criminological research has suggested that low self-control is an important predictor of criminal behavior. While some researchers are attempting to analyze the roots of self-control through parental socialization, research has not addressed the degree to which the structural characteristics of communities may impact patterns of parental socialization, and thereby impact the development of self-control among youth. The current study examined longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) to assess the possible impact of structural characteristics of communities on parental socialization and, in turn, the development of self-control among youth. In so doing, the authors extend Gottfredson and Hirschi’s (1990) theoretical framework to include community-level influences on parental socialization and, in turn, self-control in youth. NLSY data analyzed for this study included individuals who were age 10 in 1992 (N = 463). Measures included parental supervision, parental monitoring and disciplining, adverse neighborhood conditions, self-control, and the control variables of sex and race. Results of statistical analyses that included structural equation modeling indicated that parental socialization and adverse neighborhood conditions predicted self-control both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Moreover, the total effect of adverse neighborhood conditions on levels of self-control in youth was as strong as the total effect for parental socialization. Finally, significant race differences were noted, especially regarding inter-relationships between the neighborhood-level measures and parental socialization. Future research should focus on the effects of other forms of socialization, such as school, on the development of self-control in youth. Tables, appendix, notes, references