Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice current issue

A General Biosocial Paradigm of Antisocial Behavior: A Preliminary Test in a Sample of Adolescents

Vaughn, M. G., Beaver, K. M., DeLisi, M. — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:32:53 PDT

Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), the current study delineates and tests a general biosocial liability theoretical model of antisocial behavior. Along with measures of genetic polymorphisms, neurocognitive skills, self-control, and environmental pathogens, a recursive path-modeling strategy was used to empirically examine the relations between these biosocial measures and forms of antisocial behavior in a subsample of 1,136 adolescent males. Results supported the main predictions of the biosocial liability model, finding significant path coefficients across key constructs. Findings are discussed in light of current theories of antisocial behavior, future studies, and implications for prevention and intervention.

Opportunity, Involvement, and Student Exposure to School Violence

Peguero, A. A. — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:32:53 PDT

Exposure to violence, beyond more obvious physical injuries, has long-term emotional and psychological consequences for youth. It should thus come as no surprise that much research has focused on the correlates of youth exposure to violence and victimization. Less attention, however, has been paid to research examining the relationship between school involvement (i.e., extracurricular activities), opportunity, and youth exposure to school violence and victimization. Analyses that draw from the restricted-use Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 and that use logistic regression analyses suggest some important results. Most notably, involvement in classroom-related extracurricular activities is linked to an increase in victimization, whereas interscholastic sports involvement is related to a decrease in victimization for youth who participate. Besides discussing the findings of this study, this article also underscores the importance of understanding youth exposure to school violence in greater depth.

Female Juvenile Risk: Is There a Need for Gendered Assessment Instruments?

Emeka, T. Q., Sorensen, J. R. — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:32:53 PDT

There are few risk assessment instruments that address the unique risk factors for female juvenile offenders. Typically, female risk factors are embedded within male risk factors. Thus, the true differences between male and female juveniles may not be explored. In this study, a generic risk assessment instrument was constructed from a pooled sample and used to identify the level of risk posed by females in comparison with males. Though the constructed instrument worked quite efficiently for males, the instrument provided only a marginal improvement over chance prediction of recidivism for youthful female probationers. Lower rates of predictive validity among the female subpopulation supports call for the development of gendered risk assessment instruments.

Neighborhood Disadvantage, Alcohol Use, and Violent Victimization

Browning, S., Erickson, P. — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:32:53 PDT

This study examines the impact of neighborhood and individual level factors as predictors of violent victimization in a sample of high-school students in Toronto, Canada. Individual factors include school and family effects, alcohol use, and a variety of demographic measures. The neighborhood elements in this study include neighborhood disadvantage (Wilson, 1996) and collective efficacy (Sampson, Raudenbush, & Earls, 1997) concepts in the forefront of research on crime. The research not only examines the direct effect of these variables but also the interaction of the macro- and micro-level variables as correlates of victimization. The results indicate that the neighborhood disadvantage is critical in the explanation of violent victimization. Moreover, the relationship between alcohol use and victimization varies by neighborhood disadvantage.

Identifying Leading Characteristics Associated with Juvenile Drug Court Admission and Success: A Research Note

Barnes, J.C., Ventura Miller, H., Miller, J. M. — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:32:53 PDT

Since first appearing in the late 1980s, drug courts have quickly become one of the leading intervention strategies for offenders exhibiting problems with drug abuse. Popular with policy makers for their innovative approach to breaking the drugs-crime nexus, drug courts are now considered one of the hallmarks of both the adult and juvenile justice systems of corrections. Empirical research has indicated that drug courts are one of the most promising contemporary correctional strategies in reducing recidivism among substance abusing offenders. This study examined a juvenile drug court in an effort to answer some recent research questions that have been proffered by empiricists. Results suggested that clients with a history of mental health problems had greater odds of being admitted to the drug court. No client characteristics, however, were predictive of client success in the drug court. Policy implications are also considered.

Book Review: Valdez, A. (2007). Mexican American Girls and Gang Violence. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. 209 pp. $65.00 (hardcover)

Lanham, B. D. — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:32:53 PDT

Book Reviews: Benbenishty, R., & Astor, R. (2005). School Violence in Context: Culture, Neighborhood, Family, School and Gender. New York: Oxford. pp. 220, xxi

Kubena, J. L. — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:32:53 PDT