Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice recent issues

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

Introduction to Special Issue

DeLisi, M. — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:59:14 PDT

An Investigation of Primary and Secondary Psychopathy in a Statewide Sample of Incarcerated Youth

Vaughn, M. G., Edens, J. F., Howard, M. O., Smith, S. T. — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:59:14 PDT

There has been considerable interest in the identification of putative subtypes of psychopathy over the past several years although none of this research has focused on juveniles who are high in psychopathic traits. Using a statewide sample of juvenile offenders, the present study sought to identify subtypes consistent with theoretical notions of primary and secondary psychopathy. Among those youths high in psychopathic traits (n = 132), finite mixture modeling of various indicators of psychological distress resulted in a two-class solution. Consistent with theory, one subtype was characterized by higher levels of distress (e.g., anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation), whereas the other subgroup was lower on these dimensions and generally similar to nonpsychopathic control juveniles (n = 135). Analyses of theoretically relevant external correlates (e.g., offense history, drug use, victimization) suggested that the two subtypes differed from each other on certain key variables as well as differed from the nonpsychopathic controls.

Psychopathy in Adolescence Predicts Official Reports of Offending in Adulthood

Lynam, D. R., Miller, D. J., Vachon, D., Loeber, R., Stouthamer-Loeber, M. — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:59:14 PDT

The study focused on the incremental predictive utility of psychopathy assessed at age 13 with the Childhood Psychopathy Scale (CPS) in predicting arrests and convictions between the ages of 18 and 26. Data from 338 men from the middle sample of the Pittsburgh Youth Study were used. A variety of control variables were included: demographics (race, family structure, socioeconomic status (SES), and neighborhood SES), parenting (physical punishment, inconsistent discipline, lax supervision, and low positive parenting), peer delinquency, and individual difference variables (impulsivity, verbal IQ, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and conduct disorder). CPS scores at age 13 predicted the variety of arrests and convictions 5 to 13 years later, even after controlling for other well-established and well-measured risk factors. The study concluded that juvenile psychopathy is an important and useful risk factor for future antisocial behavior and also considered the implications of the findings and reasons for resistance to the juvenile psychopathy construct.

Blood Lead Levels in Early Childhood Predict Adulthood Psychopathy

Wright, J. P., Boisvert, D., Vaske, J. — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:59:14 PDT

Using data from the Cincinnati Lead Study, this study examines the effects of postnatal blood lead concentrations in early childhood (78 months) on adult psychopathy and six subscales of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory. Results reveal that higher blood lead concentrations in early childhood are associated with higher levels of psychopathic symptoms in adulthood, controlling for the effects of gender, race, mother's IQ, child's intellectual achievement, and the quality of the home environment. Childhood lead levels predicted variation in Machiavellian Egocentricity, Social Potency, Impulsive Nonconformity, and Blame Externalization. Overall, these results implicate lead exposure in the etiology of psychopathy.

The Biosocial Underpinnings to Adolescent Victimization: Results From a Longitudinal Sample of Twins

Beaver, K. M., Boutwell, B. B., Barnes, J.C., Cooper, J. A. — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:59:14 PDT

Behavioral genetic research has consistently revealed that antisocial behaviors are due partially to genetic factors and partially to environmental factors. Even in light of these findings, researchers have failed to examine the genetic and environmental contributors to adolescent victimization. The current study addressed this gap in the literature by analyzing a sample of twin pairs drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). The results of the statistical models revealed that genetic factors explained about 40% to 45% of the variance in adolescent victimization, with the remaining variance attributable to the nonshared environment. Moreover, additional analyses revealed that 64% of the variance in repeat victimization was due to genetic factors. The implications that these findings have for victimization researchers are discussed.

Child and Adolescent Psychopathy: Like a Painting by Monet

Salekin, R. T., Rosenbaum, J., Lee, Z., Lester, W. S. — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:59:14 PDT

This review paper discusses the construct of child and adolescent psychopathy and outlines controversy about the topic as well as some of the reasons that it might be developmentally appropriate. Past research has suggested that child psychopathy may be inapplicable to youth because the symptoms cannot be reliably distinguished from features of normative adolescent development. Concerns have also been raised regarding the possibility that the syndrome does not closely resemble the adult construct of psychopathy. We conclude that there is some truth to both sides of this story. Research shows that child psychopathy has a considerable degree of reliability and construct validity; however, there are also some important developmental differences. Furthermore, emerging evidence indicates potential changes in psychopathic symptoms over time and the important role of protective factors. Although, current research suggests that the concept of child psychopathy may be like an impressionist painting (i.e., clearer from a distance but messier as one gets closer), we argue this is not necessarily problematic from a developmental perspective. However, we conclude that a rigorous set of research studies will be needed to further advance our understanding of child psychopathy and the way it manifests itself over time.

Psychopathy is the Unified Theory of Crime

DeLisi, M. — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:59:14 PDT

Psychopathy is an important clinical construct that has been studied for more than 200 years and has exploded in recent years as a guiding explanatory concept for a range of antisocial behaviors across a range of populations and subgroups. In this review essay, I advance that psychopathy is the purest and the best explanation of antisocial behavior. Indeed, psychopathy is the unified theory of crime because it mirrors the elemental nature and embodies the pejorative essence of antisocial behavior, accommodates dimensional and categorical conceptualizations and examinations of antisocial behavior, facilitates the study of antisocial phenotypes over the life span, accommodates the general overlap of antisocial behaviors among diverse populations, and facilitates emerging biosocial explanations of antisocial behavior.

Family Structure, Family Processes, Economic Factors, and Delinquency: Similarities and Differences by Race and Ethnicity

Leiber, M. J., Mack, K. Y., Featherstone, R. A. — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:06:36 PDT

Using data from the Add Health Study, the authors examined relationships among family structure, family processes, and economic factors with delinquency and to what extent similarities and differences may exist for Whites, African Americans, and Hispanics. Results from negative binomial regression analyses indicated that, in general, of the family processes, maternal attachment was consistently found to be an important predictor of nonserious and serious delinquency irrespective of family structure, economic factors, and race and ethnicity. The results are discussed within the context of Hirschi's original interpretation of social control theory, and future directions for research are suggested.

Coping as a Mediator of the Effects of Stressors and Supports on Depression Among Girls in Juvenile Justice

Goodkind, S., Ruffolo, M. C., Bybee, D., Sarri, R. — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:06:36 PDT

Research from many disciplines, including sociology, psychology, criminology, and social work, has examined the effects of stressors or risk factors and supports or protective factors on negative outcomes such as mental health problems and delinquent behavior. Drawing on these multiple literatures, this study examines relationships among stressors (experiences of abuse and other negative life events), support provided by family and friends, and depressive symptoms, as mediated by negative coping behaviors, for girls involved or at risk of involvement with juvenile justice. Data were obtained from surveys of 186 girls in juvenile justice and alternative programs. Analyses using structural equation modeling revealed that girls' experiences of physical and emotional abuse and other negative life events, partially mediated by their use of withdrawal and acting out coping strategies, predicted high levels of depressive symptoms, whereas family support was associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms.

The Link Between Juvenile Offending and Victimization: The Influence of Risky Lifestyles, Social Bonding, and Individual Characteristics

Xiaojin Chen, — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:06:36 PDT

Although previous studies have shown a consistent association between juvenile offending and violent victimization, the mechanism that leads to this association remains unclear. The association between juvenile offending and victimization could be due to consequences of delinquent behavior and offenders' risky activities, social bonding to conventional institutions, or persistent individual traits. Based on data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, the current article uses fixed effects regression models to assess the net effect of offending on victimization while controlling for adolescents' social bonding to parents/schools and for persistent individual characteristics. There is clear evidence that delinquent behavior causes violent victimization. The offending—victimization linkage, however, appears to be victimization specific, with persistent individual characteristics partially explaining this linkage for less serious victimization but not for severe violent victimization.

The News Media on School Crime and Violence: Constructing Dangerousness and Fueling Fear

Kupchik, A., Bracy, N. L. — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:06:37 PDT

This article examines how the print news media report on the problem of school crime and violence. Based on a sample of news stories from The New York Times and USA Today , it analyzes the characteristics of these reports and how they fuel fears of school crime and violence. The study reveals that print news articles frame school crime as bad or getting worse; that they persistently remind readers about the potential for tragedy at school; that they rely on emotional responses to inform readers, rather than more objective sources of information; and that they describe school violence as being unpredictable while suggesting that schools should be blamed for failing to recognize warning signs of violence. These characteristics of news stories stoke readers' fears by providing a heightened sense of the threat of school violence, without a broader context for understanding how rare it is.

Book Review: Farrington, D., & Welsh, B. (2007). Saving Children From a Life of Crime. New York: Oxford University Press. 233 pp., $29.95 (hardcover)

Cain, S. — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:06:37 PDT

Book Review: Muncie, M., & Goldson, B. (Eds.). (2006). Comparative Youth Justice. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE

Lynton, E. — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:06:37 PDT

An Examination of Differential Association and Social Control Theory: Family Systems and Delinquency

Church, W. T., Wharton, T., Taylor, J. K. — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:18:02 PST

This study applies differential association and social control theories to juvenile delinquency. Using a path analysis model, relationships between family, self-image, and behavior are explored. Analyses suggest that positive self-image leads to decreased delinquency, and association with delinquent peers is the greatest predictor of delinquent behavior, regardless of race.

Identifying Latent Classes of Behavioral Risk Based on Early Childhood: Manifestations of Self-Control

Vaughn, M. G., DeLisi, M., Beaver, K. M., Wright, J. P. — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:18:02 PST

This study explored early childhood manifestations of self-control in a nationally representative cohort of kindergarten children. Finite mixture modeling was used to identify five latent classes of children based on parent and teacher reports of self control across three waves of data. These were a low impairment, teacher report (n = 5,047, 29.3%), low impairment, parent and teacher report (n = 2,889, 16.8%), moderate impairment, teacher report ( n = 5,267, 30.6%), moderate impairment, parent report (n = 2,415, 14.0%), and severely impaired subgroups (n = 1,594, 9.3%). Parental stress, externalizing behaviors, and interpersonal skills deficits were important differentiators across class memberships. The severely impaired subgroup possessed an array of neurocognitive deficits, behavioral problems, and learning difficulties relative to other classes. To forestall life-course problem behaviors for impaired children appropriate screening and intervention is warranted.

Weapon Carrying Prevention: Should Adults Spend More Time With Youth?

Fleschler Peskin, M., Tortolero, S. R., Addy, R. C., Weller, N. F. — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:18:02 PST

Positive youth involvement with any adult—not just parents—may be protective against adolescent participation in risk behaviors. This cross-sectional study examines the association between adult involvement and weapon carrying among predominantly low-income African American and Hispanic urban high school students. Adult involvement was measured using a 6-item scale that assessed frequency of student participation in activities with an adult; weapon carrying was measured using questions from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Almost 20% of high school students reported carrying a weapon at least once during the past month. In the adjusted model, adult involvement was protective against student participation in weapon carrying. School absenteeism caused by safety concerns, threats at school, and substance use were also associated with weapon carrying. Interventions that aim to increase the amount of time youth spend with adults may be beneficial for the prevention of weapon carrying behaviors. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the temporal association between variables.

Youth Perspectives on Their Relationships With Staff in Juvenile Correction Settings and Perceived Likelihood of Success on Release

Marsh, S. C., Evans, W. P. — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:18:02 PST

This study explored youth perspectives on their relationships with staff in juvenile correction settings and perceived likelihood of success on release. Surveys were administered to 543 youth committed to select facilities in Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon. Youth were asked to nominate a staff they turn to most for help and advice, then report on the qualities of their relationship with that staff. Results indicate that youth have different types of key helping relationships with staff, and that youth forecasts about their future vary across these relationship types.

Book Review: Davis, D. L. (2004). Your Angry Child: A Guide for Parents. New York: Haworth. 120 pp. (softcover)

Sarver, M. B. — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:18:02 PST

Patchin, J. W. (2006). The Family Context of Childhood Delinquency. New York: LFB Scholarly. 128 pp., $60.00 (hardcover). ISBN: 1-59332-154-6

Caudill, J. — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:18:02 PST