RELATION OF FAMILY PROBLEMS TO PATTERNS OF DELINQUENT INVOLVEMENT AMONG URBAN YOUTH

The relation of patterns of family problems and patterns of delinquent behavior over time was evaluated among a sample of inner-city minorit y adolescent males. Empirically derived groups were identified and inc luded: nonoffenders, chronic minor offenders, escalators, and serious chronic offenders. Patterns of family problems were also identified an d differentially related to delinquency groups. Members of the group i nvolved in serious chronic offending were more likely to have families characterized by multiple problems including disruption, conflict, an d lack of parental involvement, sometimes so extreme as to meet the le gal requirement of neglect. They were also more likely to have familie s characterized by deviant behavior and attitudes. The finding of spec ific relations between types of family problems and patterns of delinq uent behavior has important implications for intervention and preventi on. Rather than assuming a general relation between family functioning and delinquent involvement, specific aspects of family functioning ma y need to be targeted to affect different patterns of delinquent invol vement.