Different Pathways to Juvenile Delinquency: Characteristics of Early and Late Starters in a Sample of Previously Incarcerated Youth

Abstract

We examined the differences between early and late start juvenile delinquents in a sample of 531 previously incarcerated youth in Oregon's juvenile justice system. Data were analyzed with logistic regression to predict early start delinquency based on four explanatory variables: foster care experience, family criminality, special education disability, and socioeconomic status. Youth with foster care experience were four times more likely to be early start delinquents than youth with no foster care experience. Youth with a family member convicted of a felony were two times more likely to be early start delinquents than youth with no family felony. Implications for future research are discussed, as well as implications for practice and policy. We suggest that future studies examine differences between male and female delinquents, the effects of foster care on children, and interfamilial processes that facilitate criminal behavior. Efforts to support children and families at risk of abuse and neglect should be reexamined in light of the results of our study, which adds to the emerging knowledge base regarding the relationships between violence experienced in early childhood, and future criminal behavior.

Classifying Violent Versus Nonviolent Offending in a Diverse Sample of Adolescent Juvenile Delinquents

“…For example, Alltucker and colleagues (2006) measured SES using a four-factor model, which derives an overall score from parent education, occupation, sex, and marital status. Using this index, Alltucker and colleagues did not find SES to be significantly correlated with delinquent behavior (e.g., Alltucker, Bullis, Close, & Yovanoff, 2006). In contrast, other investigations have found that both neighborhood poverty and family SES were related to juvenile arrest and adjudication (Farrington et al, 2003;Fergusson, Horwood, & SwainCampbell, 2003;Hay, Fortson, Hollist, Altheimer, & Schaible, 2007;Leiber & Jamieson, 1995).…”

“…Table 12. (Farrington et al, 2003;Leventhal & Brooks-Gunn, 2000;Lynham et al, 2000), the research has yielded inconsistent findings (Alltucker et al, 2006 (Denno, 1990;Farrington, 1987;Hinshaw, 1992;Hux et al, 1998;Katsiyannis et al, 2008;Zamora, 2005 With regard to hypothesis 3, a discriminant analysis model was utilized to test if the participants' sex significantly contributed to their classification of violent versus nonviolent group membership. Sex did not significantly contribute to the classification of violent versus non-violent offense group membership, and was not retained in the stepwise model.…”

The Over-Representation of Children in Care in the Youth Criminal Justice System in British Columbia: Theory and Policy Issues

“…McCord, W. McCord, & Thurber, 1960), it has been evident that placement in child protection services, or becoming a child in care (CIC), is associated with involvement in the youth and/or adult criminal justice systems (CJS). More recent research confirms that CIC are at greater risk of engaging in antisocial behaviour in adolescence and adulthood than those (non-CIC) who have not been placed in care (Alltucker, Bullis, Close, & Yovanoff, 2006;Barth, 1990;Davis, 2009;Jonson-Reid & Barth, 2000;Newton, Litrownik, & Landsverk, 2000;Taussig, 2002). Yet, despite the consistency of the research regarding this relationship, the question of why such a large proportion of CIC become involved in the CJS remains unclear and is an increasingly controversial policy issue.…”

Modèle interactif du risque suicidaire chez les jeunes contrevenants

“…Ainsi en est-il de la prise en charge par les centres jeunesse (Farand et al, 2004) ou les « foster care » (Ryan et Testa, 2005 ;Alltucker et al, 2006) et les abus sexuels et/ou physiques dans l'enfance (Alessi et al, 1984 ;Battle et al, 1993 ;Zingraff et al, 1993 ;Beautrais, 2000 ;American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2001 ;Chagnon et al, 2001 ;Esposito et Clum, 2002 ;Flouri et Buchanan, 2002 ;Beautrais, 2003a ;Howard et al, 2003 ;Penn et al, 2003 ;Flouri, 2005 ;Hayes, 2005 ;Ryan et Testa, 2005 ;Daigle et Côté, 2006 ;Brent et Bridge, 2007). Nous savons en effet que le fait d'être séparé de son milieu familial indique la présence de problèmes qui peuvent conduire à la compromission du développement de l'enfant, ce qui peut constituer en amont un risque d'apparition de troubles d'adaptation (Alltucker et al, 2006 ;Christoffersen et al, 2007). De même, avoir été séparé de son milieu d'origine familial augmente le risque d'un problème de délinquance.…”

“…Le fait de vivre dans une famille où les parents sont séparés augmenterait le risque de présenter des comportements suicidaires à l'adolescence (Flouri et Buchanan, 2002 ;Flouri, 2005). De même, avoir des parents ayant des diffi cultés légales (Brent et al, 1994) ou impliqués dans le milieu criminel (Brent et Bridge, 2007) entraînait des risques plus élevés de comportements suicidaires et de délinquance chez leurs adolescents (Lahey et al, 1999 ;Alltucker et al, 2006).…”