Purpose
Several studies have reported the impact of paternal incarceration and criminal behavior on childhood delinquency; however, fewer studies have addressed the influence of maternal criminality on children{\textquoteright}s behavioral outcomes. Integrating self-control and attachment theoretical frameworks, the purpose of this paper is to address the impact of mothers who have been stopped, arrested, convicted, and incarcerated in relation to their children{\textquoteright}s delinquent behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
The Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing data set was used to better understand this relationship. By using binary logistic regression, two types of delinquent behavior were assessed: destroying property and fighting.
Findings
The results revealed that mothers{\textquoteright} criminal behavior affected children{\textquoteright}s fighting tendencies but did not significantly impact children{\textquoteright}s tendency to destroy property. Furthermore, certain childhood antisocial traits and demographic characteristics revealed to also impact children{\textquoteright}s delinquent behavior. From the results, implications and prevention strategies were drawn describing techniques to combat delinquency.
Originality/value
This research lays a foundation for future researchers to explore mother-child attachment and the transmission of low self-control from mother to child in relation to criminality. The current research is one of the first studies to specifically address how maternal criminal behavior affects their children{\textquoteright}s tendency to engage in delinquency, specifically examining property destruction and fighting.