Influence of Parent-Child Relationships on the Global Self-Worth and Morality of Juvenile Delinquents

This study explored the effects of parent-child relationships on the global self-worth and morality of juvenile delinquents. Participants were adjudicated as first-time shoplifting/theft offenders. Factor analyses of three self-esteem scales revealed two reliable parent-child relationship (conduct around parents and interactions with parents) and global self-worth (self-respect and self-acceptance) factors and one reliable morality factor (moral behavior). Multiple regression analyses revealed a strong positive effect for conduct around parents on self-respect and a strong positive path linking interactions with parents to self-acceptance and moral behavior. Implications for parents, schools, and communities are discussed.