THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHILDHOOD MALTREATMENT AND ADOLESCENT INVOLVEMENT IN DELINQUENCY*

TLDR

Recent research suggests a link between childhood maltreatment and later involvement in delinquency. The study investigates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and later delinquency using data from the Rochester Youth Development Study, focusing on magnitude, potential spuriousness, and the effect of more extensive maltreatment measurement. The analysis uses official and self‑report data to examine the magnitude of the relationship, test for spuriousness, and assess the impact of more extensive maltreatment measurement. A significant relationship between child maltreatment and both self‑reported and official delinquency was found, especially for serious offenses, and more extensive maltreatment was linked to higher delinquency rates.

Abstract

Recent research suggests a link between childhood maltreatment and later involvement in delinquency. This study examines this issue using official and self‐report data from the Rochester Youth Development Study. The analysis addresses three central issues: the magnitude of the relationship between early child maltreatment and later delinquency, official and self‐reported; the possibility of spuriousness in this relationship; and the impact of more extensive measurement of maltreatment on later delinquency. A significant relationship between child maltreatment and self‐reported and official delinquency is found and this relationship, especially for more serious forms of delinquency, remains when controlling for other factors. The results also suggest that more extensive maltreatment is related to higher rates of delinquency. Implications and suggestions for further research are discussed.