Delinquent and Self-Destructive Behaviors Among High School Youth

Abstract

Analysis of responses of 10,112 high school students surveyed in the 1997 National School-Based Youth Risk Survey indicated that Black youths engaged more often in delinquent and self-destructive behaviors than White youths. However, controls for the mothers' or fathers' educational attainment eliminated this ethnic difference. The pattern of involvement in delinquent and self-destructive behavior was different for Black and White youths and was mediated by gender.