A latent variable modeling approach to identifying subtypes of serious and violent female juvenile offenders

Abstract

Females have recently become an important population in research related to serious and violent juvenile offending. Although a small body of research exists on girls in the deep end of the system, very few studies have examined the degree of heterogeneity within high-risk female samples. This study applied latent class analysis (LCA) to identify subgroups of female juvenile offenders based on their self-report of offending profiles (N=133). Results supported a three-class solution with subgroups characterized by patterns of 'violent and delinquent', 'delinquency only', and 'low' offending patterns. The LCA solution was replicated in an independent sample of high-risk females. The 'violent and delinquent' class was characterized by significantly higher rates of DSM-IV diagnoses for internalizing disorders, affect dysregulation, exposure to violence (within the home, school and neighborhood), and familial histories of criminality. Implications for future research, policy and clinical practice are discussed.

Assessing gender and ethnic differences in developmental trajectories of offending

“…On-going debate between perspectives underscores the need for more investigation of gender differences in offending (Fitzgerald et al, 2012). Further trends in offending such as rising rates of violent crime amongst women, add to the impetus to explore differences between and within gender groups (Odgers et al, 2007;Fitzgerald et al, 2012).…”

The Dimensional Nature of Externalizing Behaviors in Adolescence: Evidence from a Direct Comparison of Categorical, Dimensional, and Hybrid Models

“…Nock et al (2006) concluded that the best fitting model included six ranked latent classes ranging from no conduct disorder to pervasive conduct disorder. A similar pattern was reported by Eaves et al (1993) and Odgers et al (2007). In short, each of these studies involved fitting latent class models to externalizing behaviors, but the classes that emerged seemed to represent degrees of severity on an underlying continuum.…”

“…Although latent class analyses of adolescent externalizing behaviors involve a different model (Brownfield and Sorsenson 1987;Eaves et al 1993;Nock et al 2006;Odgers et al 2007), findings from latent class research can be reconciled with ours. In each of the latent class analyses reported to date, the classes that emerged were graded in terms of severity, as opposed to being distinct in a nominal sense (i.e., classes where probabilities of item endorsement did not increase monotonically across classes but were instead unique in each class).…”

“…Three qualitatively distinct classes emerged. In a study of adolescent females, Odgers et al (2007) fit a latent class model to self-reports of delinquent and violent behavior, and three classes emerged. Finally, latent class analyses of conduct disorder symptoms suggest a number of distinct subtypes of individuals (Eaves et al 1993;Nock et al 2006).…”

Alcohol Use and Risky Behaviour: Evidence of Anxiolysis-Disinhibition from a Naturalistic Drinking Study

“…Giancola et al (2009) experimentally assessed the effects of alcohol on aggression in both males and females, finding aggression increased for both sexes after alcohol, but that this increase was more apparent in males. However, research into adolescents does show increasing rates of violence among females too (Odgers et al, 2007), and Graves (2007) concludes that gender differences in serious violent acts are fading. Research employing a large student sample identified a particular problem of increased risk taking when intoxicated, and that these risks covered a variety of domains e.g.…”