Risk Factors for Juvenile Criminal Recidivism

Abstract

This study focused on the outcomes of juvenile delinquents ( N = 140) following their conviction, commitment for residential placement, and return to the community on parole. Participants were followed for a period of 1 year postrelease. A random stratified sampling procedure was used to select participants from urban, suburban, and rural sites. Ratings of poor parole adjustment (73%), as well as observed rates of parole violation (73%) and reoffending (40%) across the entire sample reflected a substantial proportion of unfavorable outcomes during follow-up. Stepwise regression yielded significant predictive capacity for offense, school, and family variables toward parole violation ( R = .30) and parole adjustment ( R = .41), and a trend toward significance in the prediction of reoffending ( R = .31), although the modest size of these coefficients would limit practical utility. The results are discussed in the context of intervention and risk-reduction planning throughout residential placement and postrelease community living.