Policy Implications of the Effects of Maltreatment Type, Age, Recurrence, Severity, and Other Ecological Risks on Persistent Offending Among Disadvantaged Boys

Abstract

Although research indicates that the presence of maltreatment affects delinquency when comparing maltreated with nonmaltreated children, studies examining maltreatment dimensions have been confounded by conceptual and methodological problems. This study featured within-group analyses that included methodological controls to examine effects of four maltreatment dimensions and other ecological risks on persistent youth offending among maltreated children. Results indicate that supervisory neglect, maltreatment recurrence, and maltreatment severity produce direct effects on persistent youth offending after controlling for individual and other environmental risks. Comparisons of effects indicate that supervisory neglect is the strongest predictor. The study highlights the value of an ecological approach in explaining the maltreatment/ delinquency link and discusses the implications for policy and research.