Religion and delinquency: The relationship after considering family and peer influences

Author(s): Corwyn, R. F.

Journal/Book: J Sci Stud Relig. 1997; 36: Purdue University, 1365 Stone Hall, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1365. Soc Scientific Study Religion. 81-92.

Abstract: This study of 724 adolescents from four public high schools indicated that any relationship between religion and delinquency is complex. Indeed, it indicates that the significance of the relationship depends on what measures of religion are used, on whether other important familial and peer influences are considered, and on the form of delinquency analyzed When only controlling for demographics, while examining measures of church attendance and religiosity, the present study supports the usual conclusion that religion is related to status offenses and not to crime (see reviews, Burkett 1993; Cochran et al. 1994). However, evangelism is not related to either form of delinquency when only considering the effects of demographic variables. On the other hand, when elements of control theory were added to demographic factors with hierarchical regression procedures, church attendance and religiosity ceased to be relevant to status offenses and remained irrelevant to crime, whereas evangelism was related to crime. The implications of those findings for future investigations were discussed.

Note: Article Benda BB, Univ Arkansas, Sch Social Work, Little Rock,AR 72204 USA

Keyword(s): ADOLESCENT MARIJUANA; SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR; DRUG-USE; DEVIANCE; ALCOHOL; EXPLORATION; ECOLOGY

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