The Influence of Parenting on Delinquency: The Mediating Role of Peers and the Moderating Role of Self-Control

Abstract

This study uses data from the Pathways to Desistence study to test if parenting (monitoring and warmth) indirectly influences delinquency through its impact on delinquent peer association (antisocial influence and behavior) among a sample of serious juvenile offenders ( n = 1,354) and if this indirect effect is moderated by self-control. The results suggest that parental monitoring (but not warmth) predicted delinquency through both peer antisocial influence and peer behavior. Specifically, lower monitoring result in higher peer effects that, in turn, contribute to higher delinquency. The findings also suggest that this process is moderated by self-control such that the indirect effect is only significant at lower levels of self-control. The current study has important implications for understanding the role that peers and self-control play on the relationship between specific aspects of parenting. These findings can help to inform intervention and prevention programs that focus on enhancing parenting to reduce delinquency.