Social control theorists content that adolescent maltreatment disrupts important ties that inhibit delinquency. Social learning theorists emphasize the deviant values and patterns of behavior that are learned from those that perpetrate the maltreatment. Social-psychological strain theorists emphasize the criminogenic emotions likely to arise among maltreated adolescents; these include anger and resentment. The study data came from the first and second waves of the Youth in Transition survey. The survey reached a nationwide sample of male public high school students, including 2,213 youths as they entered the 10th grade in 87 schools in 1966 and 1,886 of the youths in the spring of 1968 when they were completing the 11th grade. Results provided limited support for all three explanations. None of the theories provided a complete explanation of the association between maltreatment and delinquency. In general, adolescent maltreatment gave rise to delinquency because it eroded important sources of social control, promoted deviant socialization, and generated deep-seated feelings of anger. Findings indicated the need for interventions that address the multiple and co-occurring problems experienced by maltreated adolescents. Findings also suggested several areas for future research. Figures, table, notes, appended delinquency scale, and 77 references (Author abstract modified)