A Developmental Perspective on Girls’ Delinquency: Testing the Family Stress Model

Abstract

Although there has been an increased focus on identifying causes of delinquency among girls, this is still a relatively understudied area of research, particularly among young women of color and those on the economic margins. Past research has identified economic disadvantage, exposure to maltreatment, and lack of positive parental supervision as antecedents in the development of delinquency, with family factors being especially influential for girls. There has been less attention on how these factors combine to produce a developmental cascade. The current study addresses this gap by implementing the family stress model, a conceptual paradigm that emphasizes the impact of economic hardship on family processes and, ultimately, youth outcomes. We address the study hypotheses with prospective, longitudinal data from a sample of Black girls (N = 421) from two-caregiver and single-mother families. Results demonstrate support for the family stress model in both household types. Specifically, economic stress was associated with an increase in caregivers’ psychological distress, conflict between caregivers, and disrupted parenting, which was, in turn, associated with increased delinquent behavior. The current study adds to the literature on the negative effects of economic hardship on families and youth by illustrating how economic stress indirectly influences girls’ delinquent behavior through its detrimental impact on family processes.