Research investigating racially and cultural varied influences on delinquency has been rather sparse. In this study, we investigate the cultural sensitivity of Hirschi's social bonding theory across a racially/ethnically diverse sample (i.e., Whites, African Americans, and Hispanics). The study also is unique due to the young age of its respondents (i.e., sixth graders and eighth graders). In this article, we compare the reliability and validity of social bonding constructs across racial/ethnic groupings, and then assess the influence of the elements of the social bond upon delinquency for the sample of Whites, African Americans and Hispanics. The results of this study indicate the possibility of building social bonding indicators that are equally applicable to diverse groups. In our study, these indicators are male caretaker attachment, female caretaker supervision, female caretaker communication, and family pride. Family involvement and family belief did not comprise a discrete factor that could be used for all three groups. The reconstructed indices were moderate-to-highly reliable. The differential influence of the attachment and pride indicators across our diverse sample is indicative of a cultural influence.

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