Date Approved

5-7-1996

Embargo Period

8-31-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in School Psychology

Department

Educational Services and Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Klanderman, John

Subject(s)

Children of divorced parents; Juvenile delinquency--United States--Psychology; Single-parent families

Disciplines

Educational Psychology

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the effects of parental separation and divorce on the occurrence rate of delinquent acts committed by male youths. The age of the child at the time of parental breakup, parental education, and parental employment were also measured for effects on delinquent behavior. The sample consisted of sixty male youths between the ages of twelve and fourteen. The students were sampled while in homeroom at several Vineland, New Jersey public schools. The data analyzed in this study was obtained through administration of a twelve question self report in which the students circled their responses. The data was examined using one-way analysis of variance. Several relationships were established which can be used to help predict the likelihood of a child engaging in delinquent behavior. The subjects from broken families reported significantly higher rates of delinquent activity than those from married families. Second, the subjects who experienced parental breakup at young ages reported the highest rate of delinquent offenses Next. the subjects with delinquent behavior reported lower paternal education levels than nondelinquents. Finally, parental employment did not have an effect on reported delinquent behavior.

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