The continuum of control and self-esteem: A study of delinquency

This study examines the relative effects of social bonding and self-control on juvenile delinquency. The role of self-esteem is also explored. The aim is to investigate whether the proposed association between social bonding and delinquency is mediated---in part or in whole---by self-esteem and self-control. The perspective used requires an examination of social bonding and self-control on a continuum that includes their effects on delinquency from the individual to society. In addition, the associations are inspected for racial variations, because racial differences have significant sociological implications. Indices measure social bonding, self-esteem and delinquency. Self-described feelings and situations measure social bonding, and self-reported delinquent acts measure self-esteem and delinquency. The Grasmick et al. (1993) self-control scale is used. Race-specific analyses are used to examine group differences in measures of self- and social-control and their impacts on self-esteem and delinquency. Minorities in this study include Native Americans and African Americans. Findings in this research support the predicted inverse relationship between self-control and delinquency, which is consistent with the established research in the field. The predicted negative effect of social bonding on delinquency is supported, and family attachment is observed to be the most significant social bonding measure that decreases delinquency as advocated by Hirschi (1969). A positive relationship was observed between social bonding and self-control, which implies a possible link between the two theories as proposed by Akers (2000). The predicted inverse effect between self-esteem and delinquency is not observed. Significant racial variations in self-esteem as a predictor of delinquency were observed. Whites were found to have higher self-esteem than either African Americans or Native Americans. Parental supervision had a positive effect on self-esteem controlling for each type of delinquency. In addition, a positive relationship was observed between delinquency and self-esteem for African Americans when self-esteem is the dependent variable. This may have theoretical implications for policy makers and program specialists because the goal of decreasing delinquency is likely to be more challenging if delinquency increases self-esteem.