• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• no.39
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• pp.315-342
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• 2008

The aim of this study was to examine growth trajectories of delinquent behaviors during adolescence. In addition, the effects of protective and risk factors that might account for individual difference in the level of delinquent behaviors and in the rate of change were examined. Four waves of data in the Korea Youth Panel Survey(KYPS) were used to analyze the linear growth modeling. The sample consisted of 3346 adolescents who were assessed at 4 measurement waves with approximately 1-year intervals. The results showed significant individual differences in both final level of delinquent behaviors and in the rate of change across 3 measurement occasions. Adolescent gender, family's socioeconomic background predicted the final level and the rate of change of delinquent behaviors. The protective effects of positive parenting and self-control were significantly associated with problem behaviors and the risk effects of the association with deviant peers and negative stigma were significant on the final level of delinquency. Self-control and deviant peer affiliation had differential influences over time significantly. Practice and policy implications as well as further research topic were discussed in the light of searching for important factors in preventing adolescent problem behaviors.