Family Structure as a Social Context for Family Conflict

Abstract

Two major themes in the delinquency literature are the roles of family structure and childhood victimization. Combining these two lines of research, the current project examines the unique contribution of family structure and victimization on the serious delinquency of a nationally representative sample of adolescents. In addition, we examine whether the form of families serves to condition the relationship between victimization and delinquency. Past research indicates that abuse is more likely to occur in two-parent families of a ''mixed'' form, specifically in the presence of a live-in boyfriend or stepfather. However, little is known regarding the impact of victimization on delinquency across different types of family structure. Guided by a theoretical framework acknowledging that notions of justice influence the experience of victimization, our analyses indicate that, although victimization is more likely to occur in nonintact two-parent families, victimization is more likely to result in serious delinquency in intact families and single-parent families.Two major themes relating families and juvenile delinquency are the roles of family structure or ''broken homes'' and family conflict, often operationalized as maltreatment or victimization. Although these lines of research have generally developed in isolation from each other, numerous researchers have undertaken efforts to examine the role of family structure and maltreatment simultaneously, but have produced mixed results. The current study extends these areas of research by examining the interrelationship of family dynamics and family structure, as well as testing the hypothesis that family structure moderates the effect of maltreatment on serious delinquency. Rather than simply comparing the relative strength of relationship between family processes and

Support, coercion, and delinquency: testing aspects of an emerging theory

“…However, Colvin et al (2002) note extremely limited situations under which consistent coercion can exist, so it is logical to assume the measured behavior is mostly erratic in nature. If we assume the coercion is erratic or seen as unjust it should heighten outward directed anger (Agnew 2006;Spohn and Kurtz 2011), thus increasing the risk of involvement in violent and predatory behavior. Findings in the violence models and cross tabulations seem to support this theoretical proposition.…”

“…Additional studies have linked delinquency to other forms of ineffectual parenting including erratic or inconsistent parenting (West and Farrington 1973) and rejecting parenting techniques (McCord 1983). Others suggest that abusive and punitive punishment positively correlates with delinquency (Brezina 1998;Heck and Walsh 2000;Smith et al 2005;Spohn and Kurtz 2011). One of the strongest correlates of physical aggression is child abuse and physically abusive punishments (Gover, Jennings, Tomsich, Park, and Rennison 2011;Gover, Kaukinen, and Fox 2008;Schwartz, Hage, Bush, and Burns 2006;Widom 1989;Widom and Ames 1994).…”

“…The degrees to which parents recognize and reprimand deviant behavior corresponds to the child's capacity to self-regulate behaviors (Gottfredson and Hirschi 1990;Grasmick et al 1993;Hay 2001;Vazsonyi and Crosswhite 2004) and erratic coercion determines self-control. Additionally, if coercion is erratic, arbitrary, or unjust it will heighten outward directed anger (Agnew 2001(Agnew , 2006Spohn and Kurtz 2011), thus increasing the risk of involvement in violent and predatory behavior (Colvin et al 2002). Accordingly, those facing erratic coercion will develop deficits that may lead to chronic offending.…”

“…Although peer-reviewed tests of the differential support and coercion theory remain limited, a certain degree of empirical validation rests in test of foundation principles, particularly those within the strain tradition (Agnew 2006;Agnew et al 2002;Broidy 2001;Hoffmann and Miller 1998;Spohn and Kurtz 2011) and studies documenting the important influence of social support (Jones et al 2007;Kim and Pridemore 2005;Pratt and Godsey 2002). To date, specific research on the defined elements of the theory remains limited.…”

The Effects of Experienced, Vicarious, and Anticipated Strain on Violence and Drug Use among Inmates

“…The strains that are expected to increase crime as a coping strategy include those that are viewed as unjust, high in magnitude or severity, provoke the negative emotion of anger, or are dealt with more easily through illegitimate rather than legitimate means (Agnew, 2001;Hollist, Hughes, & Schailbe, 2009;Mazerolle, Burton, Cullen, Evans, & Payne, 2000;Mazerolle & Piquero, 1998;Spohn & Kurtz, 2011). One type of strain that has been shown to lead to criminal coping is victimization, especially physical victimization (Agnew, 2002;Kort-Butler, 2010).…”