In 132 Caucasian families, family variables (marital status, interparental conflict, mother-adolescent relationship, and maternal depressive mood) and maternal communication/problem-solving skills were assessed through self- report measures and behavioral observations during subjects' early adolescence. Outcome measures (minor and severe delinquency, arrests/convictions) were assessed 6 years later during early adulthood. Regression analyses revealed relationships between the predictors and severe delinquency and arrests/convictions, but not minor delinquency. The interaction of low levels of maternal communication/problem-solving skills and negative family variables (that is, high maternal depressive mood) was associated with higher rates of delinquency; whereas, the interaction of higher levels of such maternal skills and positive family variables was associated with lower rates of delinquency. These findings indicate the importance of the role of parenting behaviors and emphasize the need to study varying severity levels of delinquency separately, so as to specify their unique developmental pathways. 32 references