Abstention from Delinquency, Friendship Quality and Maternal Influence

Abstract

The current study investigated the possible differences in quality of friendship between abstaining and delinquent adolescents and the possible effect of maternal influence on peer norm-breaking behavior. Abstainers are individuals who completely refrain from delinquent activity. Results showed no significant differences between abstainers and delinquents when looking at support. However, abstainers perceived less conflict from their best friend than delinquents. Furthermore, results showed that abstainers had more maternal knowledge, more mother attachment and less peer norm-breaking behavior. However, no significant effect of maternal knowledge and mother attachment on peer norm-breaking behavior was found. Together, these findings suggest that regarding quality of friendship, conflict contributes to adolescents’ abstention from delinquency and that maternal influence does not. Limitations, strong aspects and recommendations for further research were discussed.