Date of Graduation
2004
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
Committee Chair
James Nolan
Abstract
Juvenile delinquency and illegal substance abuse are growing problems in American society. Many studies based on various theories of adolescents’ delinquent behavior have been conducted to discover the reasons why youth become involved in delinquency or use drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. In this study, the researcher has sought to test some aspects of social control theory by carrying out secondary analysis on data collected from a survey administered to eighth and eleventh graders in a county school district in West Virginia. The results of the study show that eighth and eleventh graders’ involvement in conventional activities and their conventional beliefs about the harmfulness of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are negatively correlated with their involvement in delinquency and with their drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. Having at least a part-time job, however, is associated with an increase in the odds that a young person will commit delinquent acts in the community and use drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. The more frequently youths’ friends use drugs or alcohol, the higher the odds are that youth will become involved in delinquency or use illegal substances. Parents, teachers, and friends sharing their conventional beliefs about drugs and alcohol, has almost no effect on the youth’s own beliefs about the harmfulness of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs.
Recommended Citation
White, Amy, "Conventional beliefs, involvement in conventional activities, and delinquency: A test of social control theory." (2004). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 10832.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/10832