| My study examined the influence of the parent-adolescent relationship and peer influence on the level of decision-making for girls who are currently in a residential program. My research sought to determine the degree of the relationship between the adolescent's level of decision-making and the following variables: (a) parental involvement, (b) parent adolescent conflict, and (c) prosocial, antisocial, and neutral peer influence. I hoped that this research might result in the identification of important characteristics that would inform future research and mental health practice.;My study dealt with 102 adolescents who are currently court ordered to a diversion program in Macon, Georgia. Each of the girls completed a Decision-Making Questionnaire, the Berdnt's Peer Influence Vignettes, and a Parent Environment Questionnaire. The decision-making questionnaire contained demographic questions.;A regression analysis was used to evaluate the contributions of the three variables in predicting the offender's level of decision-making as measured by the Decision Making Questionnaire (DMQ). There was a significant association between level of decision-making and neutral peer influence. There were no significant associations between parent involvement, parental conflict, prosocial and antisocial peer influence and level of decision-making of the girls who are delinquent. Discussion of these results, the study's limitations, and suggestions for future research are then presented. |
