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Adolescent Neglect, Juvenile Delinquency and the Risk of Recidivism

  • Empirical Research
  • Published:
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Abstract

Victims of child abuse and neglect are at an increased risk of involvement with the juvenile justice and adult correctional systems. Yet, little is known about the continuation and trajectories of offending beyond initial contact with law enforcement. Neglect likely plays a critical role in continued offending as parental monitoring, parental rejection and family relationships are instrumental in explaining juvenile conduct problems. This study sought to determine whether neglect is associated with recidivism for moderate and high risk juvenile offenders in Washington State. Statewide risk assessments and administrative records for child welfare, juvenile justice, and adult corrections were analyzed. The sample was diverse (24 % female, 13 % African American, 8 % Hispanic, 5 % Native American) and included all moderate and high risk juvenile offenders screened by juvenile probation between 2004 and 2007 (n = 19,833). Official records from child protection were used to identify juvenile offenders with a history of child neglect and to identify juvenile offenders with an ongoing case of neglect. Event history models were developed to estimate the risk of subsequent offending. Adolescents with an ongoing case neglect were significantly more likely to continue offending as compared with youth with no official history of neglect. These findings remain even after controlling for a wide range of family, peer, academic, mental health, and substance abuse covariates. Interrupting trajectories of offending is a primary focus of juvenile justice. The findings of the current study indicate that ongoing dependency issues play a critical role in explaining the outcomes achieved for adolescents in juvenile justice settings. The implications for improved collaboration between child welfare and juvenile justice are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation as part of the Models for Change research initiative.

Author Contributions

JR conceived the study, helped secure the data, contributed to the analyses and writing; AW contributed to data analysis and writing; MC helped secure the data, contributed to our understanding of the child welfare system in Washington State and contributed to the writing. All authors read and approved the initial and revised manuscripts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 South University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Joseph P. Ryan & Abigail B. Williams

  2. School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Mark E. Courtney

Authors
  1. Joseph P. Ryan
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  2. Abigail B. Williams
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  3. Mark E. Courtney
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joseph P. Ryan.

Appendix: Survey Items Selected from the Washing State Juvenile Court Assessment (WSJCA)

Appendix: Survey Items Selected from the Washing State Juvenile Court Assessment (WSJCA)

Family

  • Family willing to help and support youth

  • Youth feels close or has good relationship with mother

  • Youth feels close or has good relationship with father

  • Verbal intimidation, yelling and heated arguments exist between parents, parents and youth

  • Domestic and physical violence exist between parents, parents and youth

  • Consistent appropriate punishment exists for bad behavior (clear communication, timely response)

  • Consistent good supervision exists (parents know whom youth is with, where at and when returning)

  • History of alcohol use in the house

  • History of drug use in the house

  • Household income less than $35,000

School

  • Youth is involved in extra-curricular activities

    • Involved in 2 or more activities (recoded with value of 1)

    • Involved in 1 activity (recoded with value of 1)

    • Interested by not involved (recoded with value of 0)

    • No interest in school activites (recoded with value of 0)

  • Youth is associated with behavioral problems reported by teachers in the most recent term

  • Youth has been expelled at least once in the most recent term

  • Youth academic performance is C or better, no Fs in most recent term

  • Youth is associated with good attendance, few excused absences in most recent term

  • Probation officer thinks youth will likely graduate from high school of vocational school

    • Very likely to stay in school and graduate (recoded with value of 1)

    • Uncertain if youth will stay and graduate (recoded with value of 0)

    • Not very likely to stay and graduate (recoded with value of 0)

  • Youth believes there is a value in getting an education

    • Believes getting an education is of value (recoded with value of 1)

    • Somewhat believes education is of value (recoded with value of 1)

    • Does not believe education is of value (recoded with value of 0)

Peer

  • Youth has never had consistent friends or companions

  • Youth currently spends time with pro-social friends

  • Youth currently spends time with anti-social friends

  • Youth currently spends time with gang member/associate

Youth

  • Youth is currently using alcohol or drugs

  • Youth currently has a mental health diagnosis

  • Youth currently is impulsive, acts before thinking

  • Youth currently has trouble controlling aggression

  • Youth currently believes pro-social rules apply to him/her

  • Youth believes physical aggression is an appropriate way to resolve disagreements

  • Youth talks about the future in positive ways, commitment to a better life

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Ryan, J.P., Williams, A.B. & Courtney, M.E. Adolescent Neglect, Juvenile Delinquency and the Risk of Recidivism. J Youth Adolescence 42, 454–465 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-013-9906-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-013-9906-8

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