Objective <p>This study investigates how transitioning to a single-parent family influences adolescent delinquency, examining the mediating roles of changes in parental control and environmental factors in this relationship.</p> Methods <p>Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, this study employs propensity score matching to reduce selection bias in examining the effects of family structure transitions (<i>N</i> = 1523).</p> Results <p>The transition to single-parent families significantly predicted increased delinquent behavior. Analysis of mediating factors revealed that residential mobility largely explained the relationship between family structure transitions and delinquency.</p> Conclusions <p>The results of our analysis highlight how specific mechanisms link family structure transitions to adolescent delinquency, suggesting that maintaining consistent parental control and minimizing environmental disruption may help reduce delinquency risks in transitioning families.</p>