Parenting Styles as Predictor of Adolescents’ Delinquent Behaviours

Adolescence is a period attributed with series of changes, and sometimes, adolescents engage in deviant behaviour and violate societal norms. The impacts of these delinquent acts are deleterious and needed to be curbed. This study examined parenting styles as predictor of adolescents' delinquent behaviours. Married adults in Kwara State, Nigeria comprised the population of this study (n=300) and sample was chosen using simple random sampling technique from Kwara South Senatorial Districts. Questionnaire designed by the authors was used to collect data from the respondents. Mean and rank order analysis was used to answer the research questions. The hypothesis was tested using multiple regression at 0.05 level of significance. The finding revealed that authoritarian and authoritative parenting styles were common among married adults. It was shown that permissive and uninvolved parenting styles were the predictors of adolescents’ delinquent behaviours. It was recommended that parent should endeavour to create adequate time to interact with adolescent, sten to their worries, provide unambiguous responses to their queries and relate friendly with them. Counsellors should be adequately prepared to address the cases of youthful exuberance.