Adverse life events and delinquent behavior among Kenyan adolescents: a cross-sectional study on the protective role of parental monitoring, religiosity, and self-esteem

Abstract

BackgroundPast research provides strong evidence that adverse life events heighten the risk of delinquent behavior among adolescents. Urban informal (slum) settlements in sub-Saharan Africa are marked by extreme adversity. However, the prevalence and consequences of adverse life events as well as protective factors that can mitigate the effects of exposure to these events in slum settlements is largely understudied. We examine two research questions. First, are adverse life events experienced at the individual and household level associated with a higher likelihood of delinquent behavior among adolescents living in two slums in Nairobi, Kenya? Second, are parental monitoring, religiosity, and self-esteem protective against delinquency in a context of high adversity?MethodsWe used cross-sectional data from 3,064 males and females aged 12–19 years who participated in the Transitions to Adulthood Study. We examined the extent to which a composite index of adverse life events was associated with delinquent behavior (measured using a composite index derived from nine items). We also examined the direct and moderating effects of three protective factors: parental monitoring, religiosity, and self-esteem.ResultsFifty-four percent of adolescents reported at least one adverse life event, while 18% reported three or more adverse events. For both males and females, adversity was positively and significantly associated with delinquency in bivariate and multivariate models. Negative associations were observed between the protective factors and delinquency. Significant adverse events × protective factor interaction terms were observed for parental monitoring (females and males), religiosity (males), and self-esteem (females).ConclusionsSimilar to research in high income countries, adverse life events are associated with an increased likelihood of delinquent behavior among adolescents living in urban slums in Kenya, a low-income country. However, parental monitoring, religiosity, and self-esteem may moderate the effect of adversity on delinquent behavior and pinpoint possible avenues to develop interventions to reduce delinquency in resource-poor settings in low and middle income countries.

Parenting Styles as Predictors of Risky Sexual Behaviors among Selected Public Secondary School Students in Embu County, Kenya

“…The study found that adolescents who were monitored reported fewer incidents of engagement in sexual behavior. Other studies with similar results include (Kabiru et al, 2014) who studied premarital sex among students. The studies mainly used samples of college students from developed countries and focused on a few parenting styles, on the other hand the study in Kenya by Wange'ri focused on parental monitoring.…”

Are parenting practices associated with the same child outcomes in sub-Saharan African countries as in high-income countries? A review and synthesis

“…Studies ranged in sample size from 30 to 31 098 and were conducted in 13 SSA countries, with most conducted in Kenya, Ghana and South Africa. Some drew on large-scale national studies including: ‘Transition to Adulthood’ (TTA)47–49 and the ‘Cameroon Family and Health Surveys’ (CFHS) 50 51. Other studies reported findings from more than one SSA country 52–54.…”

“…The studies used various tools to measure child maladaptive behaviours including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire83 85 86 and the delinquency sub-scale of the Child Behaviour Checklist-Youth Self Report 87. Results from the study of Kabiru et al 49 showed an association between the protective effect of parental monitoring and lower delinquency, but this was a poor-medium quality study 49. Four studies showed associations between harsh parenting (physical punishment/corporal punishment) and child externalising behaviours including ASB and aggression 84–87.…”

“…Parental monitoring was associated with positive educational outcomes in two studies69 70 and with normal child development in one study 63. Furthermore, positive behaviour control was protective against conduct disorders49 and substance use in adolescents 54 90…”

Formulating an Integrated Intervention Programme: Reshaping the Brain-Behaviour Functioning of Children in Conflict with Law in India

“…Early negative experiences, including physical and sexual abuse, rejection and neglect from society, broken homes, impoverished financial status, domestic violence etc. are often faced by Children in Conflict with Law [1][2][3][4]. This installs in them frustration, feelings of insecurity along with a host of other disruptive emotional processes that eventually pave the way for impulsivity, anger outbursts, hostility and a tendency to violate the rights of others.…”