Juveniles in Detention: How Do Girls Differ From Boys?

Abstract

The number of adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system is increasing dramatically, particularly among female juveniles. Little is known about the extent to which findings from research conducted on male delinquents can be generalized to females. This study was a preliminary examination of the self-reported risk factors of juveniles in detention to examine differences in self-reported risk factors by gender. Data were collected from a consecutive sample of 256 adolescents being held in an urban juvenile detention center in Ohio. Respondents completed an anonymous, self-administered, computerized interview. Results support previous research findings that female juveniles are at higher risk levels related to abuse and violence and are less likely to have supportive relationships.

Feasibility of Conducting Child Abuse Research with Girls in Juvenile Detention Using Audio-Computer Assisted Self-Interview (ACASI) Technology

“…Aside from the research usefulness of ACASI, because studies have suggested that participants may report more honestly with ACASI (Hewett et al, 2003;Renker & Tonkin, 2007;Turner et al, 1996), it could be quite useful clinically, especially in detention settings where risk profiles are typically high. The rate of reported physical abuse (25.7%) and sexual abuse (11.4%) in our study is outside the range of estimates for physical abuse (57-81%) (Acoca & Dedel, 1998;Belknap & Holsinger, 2006;Chamberlain & Moore, 2002;Ryder, 2007;Simkins et al, 2004) and sexual abuse (25-67%) (Abrantes, Hoffman, & Anton, 2005;Acoca & Dedel, 1998;Alemagno et al, 2006;Belknap & Holsinger, 2006;Chamberlain & Moore, 2002;Dembo, Williams, & Schmeidler, 1993;Goodkind, Ruffolo, Bybee, & Sarri, 2009;Gover, 2004;Lederman et al, 2004;Ruffolo, Sarri, & Goodkind, 2004;Simkins et al, 2004) reported by justiceinvolved girls. The ACASI technology may have contributed to these lower rates.…”

“…lifetime prevalence vs. recent or early childhood maltreatment), definitions of abuse used, and participant samples. Chamberlain and Moore (2002) assessed physical abuse directly, while Alemagno et al (2006) measured arguments or threats in the home. Regarding sample selection, rates of abuse among girls recommended for placement have limited comparability to girls in detention, as girls who are deeper in the system (i.e.…”

Sex and Age Differences in the Risk Threshold for Delinquency

“…Concerning differences in the definition of the threshold, previous studies based their conclusions about sex different thresholds on risk levels of delinquent boys and girls (Alemagno et al 2006; Belknap and Holsinger 2006; Emeka and Sorensen 2009; Johansson and Kempf-Leonard 2009; Van der Laan and Van der Schans 2010), whereas the current study identified the location of the threshold. Because delinquent girls had on average higher risk levels than boys and because delinquency is less prevalent in girls, previous studies concluded that girls have a higher threshold for delinquency.…”

“…Due to this amplification, delinquent girls would—even with a same delinquency threshold—have higher average risk levels than boys. Therefore, previous studies that focused on the average risk level for boys and girls found higher risk levels among delinquent girls than among delinquent boys (Alemagno et al 2006; Van der Laan and Van der Schans 2010). …”

“…Alemagno et al (2006) examined the number of risk factors of 250 detained boys and girls and found that incarcerated girls were exposed to more risk factors than their male counterparts. Van der Laan and Van der Schans (2010) showed, using a similar analytical strategy, that arrested girls were exposed to more risk factors in the family domain than arrested boys.…”