As part of an ongoing larger interest in developing valid predictive models for guiding delinquency prevention, 84 adolescents were sampled for family systemic style, experience of social stress, and age of delinquency onset. The ability of these variables to explain and predict level, types, and persistence of delinquent behavior was studied. Regression analyses indicate relatively stable predictors (daily hassles and age of onset) across measures of delinquency. However, discriminant analyses indicated more varied predictors depending on the aspect of delinquent involvement of interest. These results support a multivariate approach to prediction and also suggest that finer gradations of risk for involvement are viable.
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