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Non-resident fathers help stem delinquency

BOSTON, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- When non-resident fathers are involved with their adolescent children, the youths are less likely to take part in delinquent behavior, says a U.S. study.

Researchers at Boston College tracked 647 youths ages 10 to 14 at the start of the 16-month study. The families were primarily African-American and Hispanic, and most lived in poverty.

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The researchers found that when non-resident fathers were involved with their children, adolescents reported lower levels of delinquency, particularly among youth who showed an early tendency toward such behavior.

Lead author Rebekah Levine Coley of Boston College found that adolescent delinquency did not lead fathers to change their involvement over the long term. But in the short term, as teens engaged in more problem behaviors, fathers increased their involvement, suggesting that non-resident fathers may be getting more involved in an effort to stem their children's delinquency, says Coley.

"Nonresident fathers in low-income, minority families appear to be an important protective factor for adolescents," says Coley. "Greater involvement from fathers may help adolescents develop self control and self competence, and may decrease the opportunities adolescents have to engage in problem behaviors."

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The study is published in the journal Child Development.

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