Welfare Policy and Juvenile Delinquency: The Mediating Role of Family Structure in Pennsylvania

Abstract

This thesis examined the connection between welfare policies, family structures and juvenile delinquency within Pennsylvania's counties. In particular, this research looked at how variations in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), by county, relate to differing levels of involvement with the Juvenile Court System; and also, how family structure could be a key link connecting both of these areas of study. Utilizing county-level panel data from Pennsylvania from 2016-2019, the research will assess the relationship between TANF participation, household formation, poverty rates and juvenile justice outcomes. The research suggests that counties which have higher levels of TANF participation and higher percentages of single parent households appear to have higher levels of juvenile court involvement. However, after controlling the influence of family structure and economic status, the direct association between TANF participation and delinquent behavior weakens substantially and becomes only marginally significant once family structure and poverty are controlled for. Overall, these findings illustrate that public assistance does not contribute to an increase in delinquent behaviors, however, rather assists in addressing underlying issues related to family stability and structural issues.