De relatie tussen de kwaliteit van de ouder-kindrelatie en jeugddelinquentie en hoe sekse deze relatie beïnvloedt

Abstract

This study addresses the role of the parent-child relationship quality, gender and their interaction in juvenile delinquency. Delinquent behavior of both boys and girls and the parent-child relationship with both mothers and fathers was examined. Knowledge of risk and protective factors and their effects is vital for successfully preventing and reducing juvenile delinquency. Guided by previous research, a negative link between the parent-child relationship quality and juvenile delinquency was expected, with strongest links for father-son and mother-daughter relationships. Adolescents (n = 437, Mage = 16, 56.8% boys) filled in self-report questionnaires measuring their parent-child relationship quality (NRI) and delinquent behavior (ZD). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses show that for the mother-child relationship support was negatively and negative interactions was positively associated with juvenile delinquency. No significant effects were found for power or gender. For fathers, only gender was significantly associated with juvenile delinquency when controlled for the quality of the father-child relationship. No significant effects were found for support, negative interactions or power. Gender did not moderate any of the significant effects. The significant effect sizes were very small. The results imply that interventions on juvenile delinquency should focus on creating a positive family environment, rather than parental control. Distinction in gender seems to be unnecessary. Given the gap in research, future studies should also focus on the father-child relationship.