Abstract
We examined the influence of ethnicity and acculturation status on the relationship between parental monitoring, susceptibility to antisocial peer pressure, and delinquency. The sample consisted primarily of Caucasian (63%) and Mexican-American (24%) early adolescents. Self-report data were collected from 1021 sixth and seventh graders, equally divided by gender (mean age =12.7 years). The Mexican-American adolescents were categorized into one of three acculturation groups: (a) acculturated; (b) unacculturated by choice; and (c) recent immigrants. Acculturated Mexican-American early adolescents reported significantly more delinquent behaviors than the Caucasian, unacculturated by choice, and recent immigrant youth. Recent immigrant early adolescents reported more parental monitoring than the acculturated Mexican-American early adolescents. Level of perceived susceptibility to antisocial peer pressure did not differ between ethnic or acculturation groups. Regression analyses revealed that the relationship between parental monitoring and delinquency was mediated by susceptibility to antisocial peer pressure for all the groups regardless of ethnicity or level of acculturation. Findings emphasize the importance of: (a) examining level of acculturation when sampling ethnically diverse populations; and (b) comparing global mean level differences and specific relationships among independent variables.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Achenbach, T. M. (1991).Manual for the youth self-report and profile. Burlington: University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry.
Akers, R. L., Massey, J., Clarke, W., & Lauer, R. M. (1983). Are self-reports of adolescent deviance valid? Biochemical measures, randomized response, and the bogus pipeline in smoking behavior.Social Forces, 62, 234–251.
Brown, B. B., Clasen, D. R., & Eicher, S. A. (1986). Perceptions of peer pressure, peer conformity dispositions, and self-report behavior among adolescents.Developmental Psychology, 22, 521–530.
Buriel, R., Calzada, S., & Vasquez, R. (1982). The relationship of traditional Mexican American culture to adjustment and delinquency among three generations of Mexican American male adolescents.Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 4, 41–55.
Clasen, D. R., & Brown, B. B. (1985). The multidimensionality of peer pressure in adolescence.Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 14, 451–467.
Cuellar, I., Harris, L. C., & Jasso, R. (1980). An acculturation scale for Mexican-American normal and clinical populations.Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 2, 199–217.
Derbyshire, R. L. (1968). Adolescent identity crisis in urban Mexican-Americans in East Los Angeles. In E. B. Brody (Ed.),Minority group adolescents in the United States (pp. 27–50). Baltimore: Williams & Wilkin.
Durrett, M. E., and O'Bryant, S., & Pennebaker, J. W. (1975). Child-rearing reports of White, Black, and Mexican-American families.Developmental Psychology, 11, 871.
Flannery, D., Vazsonyi, A., Torquati, J., & Fridrich, A. (1994). Ethnic and gender difference in risk for early adolescent substance use.Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 23(2), 1–19.
Jessor, R., Graves, T D, Hansen, R. C., & Jessor, S. L. (1968).Society, personality, and deviant behavior: A study of tri-ethnic community. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
Keefe, S. E. (1980). Personal communities in the city: Support networks among Mexican-American and Anglo-Americans.Urban Anthropology, 9, 51–74.
Kumabe, K. T., Nsihida, C., & Hipworth, D. H. (1985).Bridging ethnocultural diversity in social work and health. Honolulu: University of Hawaii, School of Social Work.
Levine, E. S., & Bartz, K. W. (1979). Comparative child-rearing attitudes among Chicano, Anglo, and Black parents.Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 1, 165–178.
Loeber, R., & Dishion, T. (1983). Early predictors of male delinquency: a review.Psychological Bulletin, 94, 68–94.
Marin, G., Sabogal, F., Marin, B., Otero-Sabogal, R., & Perez-Stable, E. J. (1987). Development of a short acculturation scale for Hispanics.Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 2, 183–205.
McCord, J. (1979). Some child-rearing antecedents of criminal behavior in adult men.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 37, 1477–1486.
Moyerman, D. R., & Forman, B. D. (1992). Acculturation and adjustment: A meta-analytic study.Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 14, 163–200.
Negy, C., Woods, D. (1992). A note on the relationship between acculturation and socioeconomic status.Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 14, 248–251.
Olmedo, E. L. (1979). Acculturation: A psychometric perspective.American Psychologist, 34, 1061–1070.
Padilla, A. M. (1980). The role of cultural awareness and ethnic loyalty in acculturation. In A. M. Papilla (Ed.)Acculturation: Theory. models and some new findings (pp. 47–84). Boulder: Westview Press.
Patterson, G. R. & Stouthamer-Loeber, M. (1984). The correlation of family management practices and delinquency.Child Development, 55, 1299–1307.
Patterson, G. R., & Dishion, T. J. (1985). Contributions of families and peers to delinquency.Criminology, 23, 63–79.
Portes, A., & Rumbault, R. G. (1990).Immigrant America: A portrait. Berkley: University of California Press.
Pumariega, A., Swanson, J., Holzer, C., Linskey, A., & Quintero-Salinas, R. (1992). Cultural context and substance abuse in Hispanic adolescents.Journal of Child and Family Studies, 1, 75–92.
Rowe, D. C., Vazsonyi, A. T., & Flannery, D. J. (1994). No more than skin deep: Ethnic and racial similarity in developmental process.Psychological Review, 101, 396–413.
Rueschenberg, E., & Buriel, R. (1989). Mexican-American family functioning and acculturation: A family systems perspective.Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 11, 232–244.
Sabogal F., Marin, G., Otero-Sabogal, R., VanOss Marin, B., & Perez-Stable, J. (1987). Hispanic familism and acculturation: What changes and what doesn't?Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 2, 397–412.
Sommers, I., Fagan, J., & Baskin, D., (1993). Sociocultural influences on the explanation of delinquency for Puerto Rican youths.Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 15, 36–62.
Steinberg, L. (1987). Familial factors in delinquency: A developmental perspective.Journal of Adolescent Research, 2, 255–268.
Steinberg, L., Lamborn, S., Dornbusch, S., & Darling, N. (1992). Impact of parenting practices on adolescent achievement: Authoritative parenting, school involvement, and encouragement to succeed.Child Development, 63, 1266–1281.
Szapocznik, J., Scopetta, M., Kurtines, W., Aranalde, M. (1978). Theory and measurement of acculturation.Interamerican Journal of Psychology, 12, 113–130.
Szapocznik, J., Santisteban, D., Rio, A., Perez-Vidal, A., Santisteban, D., Durtines, W. (1989). Family effectiveness training: An intervention to prevent drug abuse and problem behaviors in Hispanic adolescents.Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 11, 4–27.
Tolan, P. H., & Lorion, R. P. (1988). Multivariate models of delinquent behavior in males.American Journal of Community Psychology, 16, 547–561.
Vigil, D. (1979). Adaptation strategies and cultural life styles of Mexican-American adolescents.Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 1, 375–392.
Wall, J. A., Power, T. G., & Arbona, C. (1993).Susceptibility to antisocial peer pressure in Mexican-American adolescents and its relationship to acculturation. Poster presented at the Society for Research on Adolescence, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 27, 1993.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fridrich, A.H., Flannery, D.J. The effects of ethnicity and acculturation on early adolescent delinquency. J Child Fam Stud 4, 69–87 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02233955
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02233955