Don't trust anyone over 30: Parental legitimacy as a mediator between parenting style and changes in delinquent behavior over time

► Parenting style was associated with changes in delinquency over an 18-month time period. ► Authoritative parenting was associated with higher perceptions of parental legitimacy. ► Authoritarian and permissive parenting were associated with lower parental legitimacy. ► Parental legitimacy mediated the relation between parenting style and changes in delinquency.