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Effects of Adolescent Activities on Delinquency: A Differential Involvement Approach

NCJ Number
211073
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 34 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2005 Pages: 321-333
Author(s)
Siu Kwong Wong
Date Published
August 2005
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study reformulated Hirschi’s involvement hypothesis (control theory), where a person may be simply too busy doing conventional things to find time to engage in deviant behavior, by posing involvement as a social setting variable and a differential factor.
Abstract
For more than three decades, Hirschi’s (1969) version of control theory has stimulated considerable interest and research among students of delinquency. Hirschi suggests that individuals who have developed a strong bond to society, in terms of attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief are more likely to conform and less likely to commit delinquency. The hypothesis is based on the idea of the scarcity of time. However, research has shown that the effect of involvement is weak. This study reformulated this hypothesis stressing that involvement in activities constitutes the social setting in which social interactions take place, that certain social settings are favorable to the development of association with unconventional or delinquent persons. Two mediating factors were identified where involvement might affect delinquency: (1) the strengthening of the social bond and (2) delinquent association. Data for the study were obtained from a self-administered survey of 578 students, in grades 5-12 and conducted in 1997 in Canada. Involvement in activities was measured as the amount of time the respondent spent in various activities. The findings lend support to the proposed model of differential involvement, showing that even among conventional activities, there are different effects. The involvement in activities is shown as an important factor in delinquency. References