title: Delinquent Behavior in High School Students in Hong Kong: Sociodemographic, Personal, and Family Determinants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  On the basis of longitudinal data collected over 6 years, the changes in delinquent behavior and the related sociodemographic, personal, and family determinants were examined in this study. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A 6-year longitudinal research design was used. Students responded to a questionnaire containing sociodemographic questions and validated measures of positive youth development, family functioning, and delinquent behavior.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was an increasing trend of delinquent behavior with the growth rate slowing down over the high school years. Male adolescents reported higher levels of delinquent behavior and showed a greater increase of delinquent behavior relative to female adolescents. Although positive youth development and family functioning were negatively associated with the initial level of delinquent behavior, they were positively associated with the growth rate of delinquent behavior over time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Delinquent behavior could be described by a quadratic growth curve during high school years. Gender, positive youth development, and family functioning influence the level and developmental trajectory of delinquent behavior in adolescence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, P.R. China; Centre for Innovative Programs for Adolescents and Families, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, P.R. China; School of Social Development, East China Normal University, Shanghai, P.R. China; Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, Macau, P.R. China; Univesity of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky. Electronic address: daniel.shek@polyu.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Daniel T L
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Shek
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D041923:Adolescent Development; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Delinquent behavior; Developmental trajectory; Family functioning; Positive youth development; Sociodemographic factors