Examining the Association between Family Environment and Adolescent Delinquent Behaviours in China

We examined the association between perceived family environment and delinquent behaviours among Chinese adolescents. A sample of 176 middle school students (M = 13.7, SD = 0.86) completed the Chinese version of the Youth Self-Report and the Chinese version of the Family Environment Scale during their school time. Multiple regression was performed to assess the association between family environment and adolescent delinquency. Results demonstrated that a stronger family relationship was conducive to positive adolescent development. Exploratory analysis revealed that the expressiveness, conflict, independence, and control subscales were positively, and the cohesion and organization subscales were negatively associated with adolescent delinquency. Results underscore the significance of positive relationships in adolescents’ delinquent trajectory. Findings have important implications for addressing adolescent delinquency, supporting the need for a family-centred approach that includes parents, schools, and social workers.