DELINQUENCY DURING THE TRANSITION TO EARLY ADULTHOOD - FAMILY AND PARENTING PREDICTORS FROM EARLY ADOLESCENCE

This longitudinal study examines the prediction of delinquency in earl y adulthood by family variables and one type of maternal parenting ski ll during early adolescence. In 132 Caucasian families, family variabl es (marital status, interparental conflict, mother-adolescent relation ship, and maternal depressive mood) and maternal communication/problem -solving skills were assessed through self-report measures and behavio ral observations during subjects' early adolescence. Outcome measures (minor and severe delinquency, arrests/convictions) were assessed six years later during early adulthood. Regression analyses revealed relat ionships between the predictors and severe delinquency and arrests/con victions, but not minor delinquency. The interaction of low levels of maternal communication/problem-solving skills and negative family vari ables (i.e., high maternal depressive mood) was associated with higher rates of delinquency, whereas the interaction of higher levels of suc h maternal skills and positive family variables was associated with lo wer rates of delinquency.