Reputation Enhancement and School Delquency

Reputation Enhancement and School Delinquency: A 

Prospective Study using the National Educational

 Longitudinal Survey [NELS: 88]

1. Sondra Smith-Adcock ssmith@coe.ufl.edu
   1. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

1. Sang Min Lee
   1. Korea University, Seoul, Korea

1. Jennifer Kerpelman
   1. Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA

1. Aaron Majuta
   1. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

1. Choi Bo Young
   1. Korea University, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

High school delinquency, adolescent behaviors ranging from repeated school misconduct to being arrested, is a critical concern in the United States. Though widely believed that reputation is related to adolescent behavior, few studies have addressed the relationship between adolescent reputation and delinquency. Using the National Educational Longitudinal Study: 88 (NELS), the current study examined adolescents’ individual characteristics, reputation enhancement, peer affiliation, parent involvement, and school delinquency. Results showed that peer affiliation and school bonding had strong indirect effects on high school delinquency through reputational constructs. Practice implications for school settings are included.