Problem coping skills, psychosocial adversities and mental health problems in children and adolescents as predictors of criminal outcomes in young adulthood

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test child and adolescent psychosocial and psychopathological risk factors as predictors of adult criminal outcomes in a Swiss community sample. In particular, the role of active and avoidant problem coping in youths was analysed. Prevalence rates of young adult crime convictions based on register data were calculated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyse the prediction of adult criminal convictions 15 years after assessment in a large Swiss community sample of children and adolescents (n = 1,086). Risk factors assessed in childhood and adolescence included socio-economic status (SES), migration background, perceived parental behaviour, familial and other social stressors, coping styles, externalizing and internalizing problems and drug abuse including problematic alcohol consumption. The rate of any young adult conviction was 10.1 %. Besides externalizing problems and problematic alcohol consumption, the presence of any criminal conviction in young adulthood was predicted by low SES and avoidant coping even after controlling for the effects of externalizing problems and problematic alcohol use. The other predictors were significant only when externalizing behaviours and problematic alcohol use were not controlled. In addition to child and adolescent externalizing behaviour problems and substance use, low SES and inadequate problem-solving skills, in terms of avoidant coping, are major risk factors of young adult criminal outcomes and need to be considered in forensic research and criminal prevention programs.

Young offenders caught in the act: A population-based cohort study comparing internationally adopted and non-adopted adolescents

“…Small effects of parental income were found, but they were in the opposite direction and of the same magnitude for both adoptees and non-adoptees, with youth from low-SES families having a somewhat higher risk of contact with the criminal justice system. In our study, the relation between SES and criminal offending was comparable for adopted and non-adopted youth, and in line with general population studies pointing to higher risks of crime in lower-SES families compared to higher-SES families (e.g., Aebi, Giger, Plattner, Metzke, & Steinhausen, 2014;Kipping, Smith, Heron, Hickman, & Campbell, 2015;Rekker et al, 2015).…”

Self-reported Barriers to Treatment Engagement: Adolescent Perspectives from the National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A)

“…It is important for clinicians to consider this information when planning and choosing treatment options with youth. Furthermore, research has shown that inadequate coping skills are a major risk factor for young adult criminal behavior (Aebi et al 2013). If these topics can be addressed in a treatment setting, treatment providers can help youth learn to develop coping skills that will allow them to be successful outside of the treatment environment if they choose to terminate services.…”

Different patterns of behavioural and emotional difficulties through adolescence: The influence of prosocial skills

“…For instance, the acquisition of functional autonomy, academic challenges, new social situations, and decisions related to the academic or professional future. These aspects, and others related to interpersonal and emotional conflicts may increase the vulnerability to internalizing (e.g., emotional problems) and externalizing difficulties (e.g., peer problems) (Aebi, Giger, Plattner, Winkler Metzke, & Steinhausen, 2014;Estévez Gutiérrez, Herrero Fernández, Sarabia Gonzalvo, & Jáuregui Bilbao, 2014;Forns, Abad, & Kirchner, 2011;Worthman, 2011) that can persist until adulthood (Brimblecombe et al, 2015;Moscoso, Jovanovic, & Rojnic, 2015). Internalizing problems are those related to anxiety, social isolation, or difficulties in the relationship with peers.…”