Relationship Between Juvenile Offenders' Psychosocial Maturity and Experienced Parenting Style

Relationship Between Juvenile Offenders’ Psychosocial Maturity and Experienced Parenting Style by Denesha S. Alexander MA, Liberty University, 2007 BS, Norfolk State University 2001 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology Walden University May 2019 Abstract Juvenile delinquency continues to be a social ill with parents often being liable for their child’s reprehensible behavior. In this nonexperimental, correlational study, the relationship between experienced parenting style and psychosocial maturity was examined in a sample of juvenile offenders receiving intensive in-home services. The General Theory of crime by Gottfredson and Hirshi provided the framework for the study along with parenting style typologies by Baumrind. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 60 11 grade juvenile offenders and their parent/caretakers using questionnaires. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the data. The Psychosocial Maturity Index was used to measure psychosocial maturity, and the Parenting Skills Dimensions Questionnaire Short Version was used to measure experienced parenting style. Results indicated parenting style did not account for the variance in measures of psychosocial maturity. Stakeholders may benefit from an improved understanding of how measures of psychosocial maturity are impacted by parenting practices.Juvenile delinquency continues to be a social ill with parents often being liable for their child’s reprehensible behavior. In this nonexperimental, correlational study, the relationship between experienced parenting style and psychosocial maturity was examined in a sample of juvenile offenders receiving intensive in-home services. The General Theory of crime by Gottfredson and Hirshi provided the framework for the study along with parenting style typologies by Baumrind. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 60 11 grade juvenile offenders and their parent/caretakers using questionnaires. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the data. The Psychosocial Maturity Index was used to measure psychosocial maturity, and the Parenting Skills Dimensions Questionnaire Short Version was used to measure experienced parenting style. Results indicated parenting style did not account for the variance in measures of psychosocial maturity. Stakeholders may benefit from an improved understanding of how measures of psychosocial maturity are impacted by parenting practices. Relationship Between Juvenile Offenders’ Psychosocial Maturity and Experienced Parenting Style by Denesha S. Alexander MA, Liberty University, 2007 BS, Norfolk State University 2001 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology Walden University May 2019 Dedication I would like to dedicate my dissertation to my mother, Evelyn Alexander, who has exemplified unconditional love, strength, and the need to always trust God’s plan. She has been a pillar of strength and reassurance that I could and would finish this project. I would also like to dedicate this work to my family members and close friends who often withstood my absence at many events to pursue and complete this project. Last but not least, I would like to include Dr. McCreary who inadvertently motivated me more than he might imagine as an outstanding clinical psychologist and pastor. Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge my chair, Dr. Hampe, and committee member, Dr. Durnam, for persevering with me throughout a process that seemed to be plagued by many challenges. I would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Greenberger and Dr. Robinson who allowed me to use their respective instruments to conduct my study. I would like to acknowledge the community-based programs that worked with me. I would like to acknowledge Vosean Smyre and Focus on Youth Mentoring, LLC for funding the study.