10.1177/0272431602239131articleJOURNAL OF EARLY ADOLESCENCE / February 2003Leech et al. / PREDICTORS OF DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR Predictors of Self-Reported Delinquent Behavior in a Sample of Young Adolescents

Relations among characteristics at 3 years and 10 years of age and delinquent behavior at 10 years of age were investigated. Four hundred sixty mother/child pairs were inter-viewed. Psychological status, substance use, IQ, temperament, and behavior problems were assessed. Logistic regression and structural equation modeling were used. Path-ways to delinquent behavior were identified using Configural Frequency Analysis. Race and gender were significant predictors of delinquent behavior at age 10. Temperament, IQ, and emotional instability at age 3 predicted delinquent behavior at age 10. Psycho-logical status, perceived peer substance use, IQ, and temperament at age 10 were corre-lates of delinquent behavior. Three distinct pathways to delinquent behavior were identi-fied. Early childhood characteristics can identify risks of delinquent behavior at age 10. Characteristics at age 3 were mediated by parallel measures at age 10. Early identifica-tion might reduce onset of delinquent behaviors and guide targeted prevention and inter-vention efforts