Family structure versus parental attachment in controlling adolescent deviant behavior: a social control model

This study examines the relationship between family characteristics and adolescent deviant behaviors such as major and minor delinquency, and alcohol, cigarette, and drug use, while controlling for gender and race/ethnicity. The intervening factor of the socialization of law-abiding belief was also examined. Data represent a subsample from Wave 1 of the South Florida Youth Development Project involving middle school students in Dade County public schools. A significant direct relationship was found between family attachment and each of the deviant behaviors; however, family structure was not significantly related to any of the deviant behaviors. No significant interactions were found between gender or race with family structure and family attachment regarding any of the deviant behaviors. Family attachment had a direct effect on law-abiding belief, which also had a significant effect on the deviant behaviors.