Linda C. Halgunseth|Daniel F. Perkins|Melissa A. Lippold|Robert L. Nix
Delinquent-oriented attitudes mediate the relation between parental inconsistent discipline and early adolescent behavior.
University of Connecticut
although substantial research supports association parental inconsistent discipline early adolescent behaviors less understood mechanisms underlying relation study examined mediating influence delinquentoriented attitudes early adolescence using longitudinal sample 324 rural adolescents parents findings revealed inconsistent discipline sixth grade predicted increase adolescent delinquentoriented attitudes seventh grade turn predicted increase early adolescent antisocial behaviors decrease socially competent behaviors eighth grade therefore appears accepting attitudes toward delinquency may part develop experiencing inconsistent discipline home may offer possible explanation early adolescents later engage antisocial less socially competent behaviors findings may inform familybased preventive intervention programs seek decrease behavior problems promote social competence early adolescents