Exploring Morality as a Mediator of the Association Between Parenting Practices and Violent and Property Offending Among a Sample of Juvenile Delinquents

Abstract

Prior research has consistently shown that parenting practices have a direct impact on the levels of delinquency in children and on the development of their moral beliefs. Several studies have also found support for a link between levels of moral reasoning and offending. Using a sample of juvenile delinquents, this research tested the ability of morality to act as a mediator for the association between parenting practices and delinquency. Results supported the findings of past research in terms of the direct effects of parenting on juvenile offending. The mediation hypothesis received partial support. No mediation effects were detected when violent offending was the dependent variable, but the direct effects of parental hostility on property offending were mediated by moral disengagement.