Protective Effects of Parental Monitoring on Offending in Victimized Youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Empirical and conceptual literature in the United States and Western Europe provides robust evidence of victimization as a risk factor for juvenile offending and parental monitoring as a protective factor. The current study examines relationships among victimization, monitoring, and offending using a sample of youth from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Findings indicate monitoring has a protective effect, victimization increases risk, monitoring level moderates the effect of victimization on offending, and moderation effects vary by age and gender. Discussion of findings identifies implications for efforts in BiH to develop a comprehensive strategy for preventing and responding to juvenile offending.

KEYWORDS:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• juvenile justice
• parental monitoring
• prevention
• victimization

Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by research award 1704-257 from the International Center, National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Notes

*p < .01.

^a Mean on offending for “Low Monitoring” subgroup minus mean on offending for “High Monitoring” subgroup.

^b Monitoring effect for “High Victimization” subgroup minus monitoring effect for “Low Victimization” subgroup.

^c Interaction effect divided by standard deviation of offending in full sample (SD = .58).