Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Using data from the Philadelphia Educational Longitudinal Study, which followed a random sample of 8th graders into early adulthood, this study examines the effects of key family and school-related factors on arrest in adolescence and early adulthood. While research in this area is considerable, the majority of past studies have been limited by their reliance on self-reported delinquency. In contrast, this paper examines both teen reports and official juvenile and adult arrest records.

Many of the school and family factors commonly associated with delinquency in past studies did not reveal significant associations here (academic performance, retention in grade, closeness to parents, family involvement, etc.). However, an interesting and unexpected finding indicates that teens who reported that their mothers would be very disappointed if they did not graduate college had higher odds of arrest than teens who did not perceive such disappointment. However, this was only true for teens who had received bad grades and whose parents did not go to college.

While the theoretical framework for this paper emphasizes Hirschi’s social control theory, this finding may be better understood in the context of strain theory. Perhaps teens who perceive such heightened parental disappointment, yet also do not feel they have the resources and skills necessary for succeeding in college, may feel a great amount of strain and frustration. Such frustration may lead them away from conventional means of pursuing success and towards a path of crime and delinquency.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This study exams the effects of key family and school-related factors on predicting arrest in adolescence and early adulthood using data from the Philadelphia Educational Longitudinal Study (PELS). While research in this area has been considerable, it has remained somewhat limited in its sole reliance on teen self-reported surveys for examining both the influences of delinquency and delinquent behavior itself. This paper has the advantage of exploring the first hand perspectives of both teens and their parents, as well as having access to official juvenile and adult arrest records.
Results from the various regression models revealed two important results.

First, many of the school and family-related factors typically associated with delinquency and arrest did not sustain their effects once demographic controls and interactions were included in the regression model. Secondly, teens who thought that their mothers would be very disappointed if they did not graduate college had higher odds of arrest than those who did not perceive such heightened disappointment--a finding that goes against what I anticipated.

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