Tests of three hypotheses regarding the predictors of delinquency

Three hypotheses regarding the predictors of criminal activity in children and adolescents were assessed. These dealt with family, peer, and attitudinal variables, and they were explored in relation to indices based on seriousness of criminal activity and reoffending. The data were based on a sample of 338 youths who had been convicted of crimes and received probation or custody dispositions. The results provided general support for a model implicating family, peer, and attitudinal variables in youthful criminal activity. They did not, however, provide support for hypothesized interactions between family relationship and family structuring dimensions or between family relationship and peer association variables. The results did support an hypothesis regarding the independent contribution of an antisocial attitudes variable to the prediction of criminal activity.Funding to support this research was provided by the Children's Services Branch of the Ministry of Community and Social Services (Ontario), Carleton University, and the London Family Court Clinic. Thanks are extended to Penny Faulkner, Mary Ann Robblee, Suzanne Bell, and Natalie Gabora for their assistance on the project. Members of the Ministry Research Advisory Committee are also thanked for their contribution.