A Direct Test of Pathways Theory

Abstract

Although qualitative research has informed Pathways Theory for decades, there are few quantitative studies that have explored this theory. This study utilizes a path analytic approach with measures of gender-responsive needs collected from 163 male and 103 female pretrial defendants. Results indicate the presence of a pathway to pretrial failure that includes childhood abuse, historical indicators of mental illness, and substance abuse for women only. The implications of this study are likely to inform the current practice of correctional risk/needs assessments and case planning, and to aid the development of more comprehensive and effective programs and interventions for justice-involved women.

Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Self-Silencing, Trauma, and Mental Health Among Juvenile Legal System-Involved Youth

“…Findings of the current study are consistent with a body of work from feminist criminology, which has documented girls' and womens' unique pathways into the juvenile legal system, and the ways in which the juvenile legal system itself is one that was created with boys in mind (Bloom et al, 2003;Gehring, 2018). First, our findings regarding the high prevalence of mental health symptomatology and trauma, especially in girls of color, bolster the existing literature underscoring the urgency of mental health issues and the critical need for trauma-informed and gender-responsive setting-level practices (Briggs et al, 2013;Gehring, 2018).…”

“…Findings of the current study are consistent with a body of work from feminist criminology, which has documented girls' and womens' unique pathways into the juvenile legal system, and the ways in which the juvenile legal system itself is one that was created with boys in mind (Bloom et al, 2003;Gehring, 2018). First, our findings regarding the high prevalence of mental health symptomatology and trauma, especially in girls of color, bolster the existing literature underscoring the urgency of mental health issues and the critical need for trauma-informed and gender-responsive setting-level practices (Briggs et al, 2013;Gehring, 2018). This is especially relevant given that the risk for re-traumatization is high when youth are in short-term detention (e.g., through the use of seclusion and restraints; Espinosa et al, 2013;Huckshorn, 2006), underscoring a need for aftercare programming that can respond holistically to girls' basic needs (e.g., housing) and histories of trauma and mental health issues (e.g., Anderson et al, 2019;Gehring, 2018).…”

“…First, our findings regarding the high prevalence of mental health symptomatology and trauma, especially in girls of color, bolster the existing literature underscoring the urgency of mental health issues and the critical need for trauma-informed and gender-responsive setting-level practices (Briggs et al, 2013;Gehring, 2018). This is especially relevant given that the risk for re-traumatization is high when youth are in short-term detention (e.g., through the use of seclusion and restraints; Espinosa et al, 2013;Huckshorn, 2006), underscoring a need for aftercare programming that can respond holistically to girls' basic needs (e.g., housing) and histories of trauma and mental health issues (e.g., Anderson et al, 2019;Gehring, 2018). At the level of assessment, consideration should be given to the sensitivity of juvenile risk assessment instruments, which typically display weaker predictive validity for girls compared to boys (e.g., Anderson et al, 2016).…”

“…Trauma is predictive of girls' entry into the system, as well as being pushed farther into the system. For instance, Gehring (2018) found that childhood abuse directly and indirectly predicted pretrial failure for women, but not for men.…”

Women Offender Assessment: Can Gender-Informed Variables Improve Prediction of Institutional Outcomes?

“…The literature provides evidence that mental health issues are a common concern for women offenders (Derkzen, Booth, Taylor & McConnell, 2013). Pathways Theory provides evidence that mental health is linked to women's developmental trajectory into crime (Gehring, 2016). Further, Davidson, Sorensen, and Reidy (2016) assessed the incremental predictive validity of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) with general and assault misconduct in a sample of 2,000 female offenders.…”