Parental Shaming and Adolescent Delinquency: A Partial Test of Reintegrative Shaming Theory

Abstract

The past decade has seen an increase in the application of Braithwaite's reintegrative shaming theory as a framework for restorative justice programs. However, to date the theory has received little empirical attention. The current study set out to contribute to the empirical testing of the theory by exploring the appropriateness of the causal model put forward by Braithwaite. One-hundred-and-seventy Year 9 and Year 10 high school students from 2 government high schools in the Australian Capital Territory completed a survey capturing projected delinquency, delinquent peers and family processes. Principal component analysis found an overlap between aspects of shaming with reintegration and stigmatisation. Furthermore, not all facets of reintegration and stigmatisation were found to be discrete concepts. Results from subsequent structural equation modelling were largely supportive of RST, particularly the theory's emphasis on the harmful effects of stigmatisation and the beneficial effects of reintegration. However, shaming, as defined in the theory, may not affect predatory crime in the way it is predicted by RST.

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