Predictability of Delinquency Through Psychosocial and Environmental Variables Across Three Generational Status Groups Margaret Frances Sabia Walden University

Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2016 Predictability of Delinquency through Psychosocial and Environmental Variables across Three Generational Status Groups Margaret Frances Sabia Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Criminology Commons, Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons, and the Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact ScholarWorks@waldenu.edu. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Margaret Sabia has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Gregory Hickman, Committee Chairperson, Human Services Faculty Dr. William Barkley, Committee Member, Human Services Faculty Dr. Eric Youn, University Reviewer, Human Services Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2016 Abstract Predictability of Delinquency through Psychosocial and Environmental Variables across Three Generational Status Groups by Margaret Frances Sabia MSCJ, Everest University, 2012 BS, University of Connecticut, 2008 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human Services Walden University May 2016 Abstract Issues such as the rapid growth of the immigrant youth population and delinquency among adolescents generate public safety concerns among the U.S. population. However, delinquency intervention strategies for immigrant youth in the United States remain scant, which is problematic because these youth face acculturative challenges that increase their risk for maladaptive outcomes. This quantitative, cross-sectional study addressed a research gap regarding the differential influence of risk factors in predicting delinquency across 3 generational statuses. The theoretical framework guiding the study consisted of acculturation theory, the immigrant paradox, and differential association theory. Two research questions were evaluated using a stratified random sample of 255 U.S. adolescents from the Second International Self-Reported Delinquency Study Dataset. The bivariate correlation analyses show that delinquency was significantly related to self-control, neighborhood disorganization, and delinquent peers for the total adolescent sample, and family bonding and school climate at the generational status level. The multiple regression analyses show that delinquency was best predicted by self- control for first-generation immigrants, by neighborhood disorganization, school climate, and delinquent peers for second-generation immigrants, and by self-control, family bonding, and delinquent peers for native-born youth. The results demonstrate that immigrant and native-born youth have unique adaptive and developmental processes that impact their delinquency. By increasing knowledge of delinquency risk factors, the study findings may help advocates address public safety concerns, enhance the cultural responsiveness of interventions, and, ultimately, improve youths’ behavioral outcomes. Predictability of Delinquency through Psychosocial and Environmental Variables across Three Generational Status Groups by Margaret Frances Sabia MSCJ, Everest University, 2012 BS, University of Connecticut, 2008 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human Services Walden University May 2016 Dedication I dedicate this dissertation to my beloved snow kitten. You saved me from extreme darkness in my childhood, and your passing was one of the most devastating experiences of my life. For 18 years, you gave me unparalleled love and genuine happiness. I would not have gotten through the many hardships in my life and trials, like earning my doctoral degree, without you. Thank you for always watching over me, my little angel. I also want to dedicate this dissertation to anyone who was made to believe they would never achieve anything and that their life has no value. I am here to say that you can overcome any struggles or adversity to make your dreams come true. Never allow anyone to take your dreams away from you, and always remember your life is priceless. Acknowledgments First, I would like to thank my dissertation committee members, Dr. Gregory Hickman, Dr. William Barkley, and Dr. Eric Youn for their guidance and assistance with completing my dissertation study. The bar was set incredibly high for me, and I appreciated the unique learning opportunities you each provided for me because it helped me become a better researcher and scholar. I want to specifically thank Dr. Hickman and Dr. Barkley. I do not think there are any words that appropriately express my gratitude for your consistent support and encouragement throughout working on my dissertation. When I made the difficult decision to change the methodology of my dissertation, you both made the transition very simple. I will be eternally grateful to both of you for your unwavering support and for caring about my well-being as much as you did for my scholarship. Dr. Hickman, I know I ended up with the perfect mentor for me and appreciate the fact that you always believed in me. You helped me in so many ways beyond education that I will never be able to thank you enough. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank my family for their love and support, particularly my mother and brother who were there to encourage me every step of the way. I also want to thank my Abuelo and Abuela for always being interested in my educational progress and for their unconditional love. Of course, I would also like to thank my beloved cats who were always there to comfort me and make me laugh during very stressful times. I love my family so much and will forever be grateful for their devoted support. Thank you all for making earning this degree possible. I would not have succeeded without your encouragement and support. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures .................................................................................................................. viii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Background ....................................................................................................................2 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................5 Purpose of Study ............................................................................................................9 Research Questions and Hypotheses .............................................................................9 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................11 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................13 Definitions....................................................................................................................15 Terms .................................................................................................................. 15 Operational Definitions of Variables .................................................................... 16 Assumptions .................................................................................................................19 Limitations ...................................................................................................................19 Delimitations and Scope ..............................................................................................22 Significance..................................................................................................................22 Summary ......................................................................................................................24 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................27 Introduction ..................................................................................................................27 Literature Review Strategy ..........................................................................................28 i Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................31 Berry’s Theory of Acculturation ........................................................................... 31 Immigrant Paradox................................................................................................ 34 Differential Association Theory ........................................................................... 36 History of Migration and Immigration Policy .............................................................38

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