The Home Environment and Delinquency: A Study of African American Adolescents

Abstract

This study sought to determine the relationship between an adolescent's home environment and his/her involvement in conduct disorder. The study was based on a sample of 556 African American adolescents (85% males) aged thirteen to seventeen and enrolled in violence prevention programs at historically black colleges and Universities (HBCUs) located in eight states and the District of Columbia. The HBCUs in this study have student bodies that are predominantly African American. Data were collected using a condensed version of the Children's Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (C-SAGA). The results showed that a higher proportion of females than males started physical fights, used weapons to harm, and ran away from home. Proportionately, more males deliberately set fires and destroyed property. The extended family, parents' time spent with the child, home discipline, and family rules were significantly related (p <.001) to incidents of conduct disorder. Implications for social service are suggested.