Risk Factors for Overall Recidivism and Severity of Recidivism in Serious Juvenile Offenders

Abstract

This study was aimed at finding risk factors that predict both overall recidivism and severity of recidivism in serious juvenile offenders. Seventy static and dynamic risk factors associated with family characteristics, peers, psychopathology, substance abuse, psychological factors, and behavior during treatment were assessed with the Juvenile Forensic Profile in a sample of 728 juvenile offenders. Official reconviction data were used to register recidivism with a minimum time at risk of 2 years. Severity of offending was categorized according to the maximum sentence for the offense committed combined with expert opinion. Several risk factors for recidivism were found: past criminal behavior (number of past offenses, young age at first offense, unknown victim of past offenses), conduct disorder, family risk factors (poor parenting skills, criminal behavior in the family, a history of physical and emotional abuse), involvement with criminal peers, and lack of treatment adherence (aggression during treatment, lack of coping strategies). Having an unknown victim in past offenses, criminal behavior in the family, lack of treatment adherence, and lack of positive coping strategies were predictive of serious (violent) recidivism. The results are discussed in terms of their use for risk assessment and in improving treatment effect. Targeting poor parenting skills, involvement in criminal environment, lack of treatment adherence, and problematic coping strategies should reduce the severity of recidivism.

Analysis of Risk and Protective Factors for Recidivism in Spanish Youth Offenders

“…The aim of the present study is therefore to analyse risk and protective factors in relation to youth recidivism by examining their possible differential contribution over a follow-up period of two years, when most recidivist acts take place (Mulder, Brand, Bullens & van Marle, 2011). The study includes outcome variables of recidivism as a state (presence/absence), but also its frequency (number of new criminal charges in the Juvenile Court).…”

Impact of Type of Intervention on Youth Reoffending: Are Gender and Risk Level Involved?

“…In addition, the variables level of risk of re-offending as Type of intervention on youth re-offending 6 well as the youth's gender have also been included, since their effect on the type of intervention has been highlighted in several studies (Schwalbe et al, 2012;Wilson & Hoge, 2013a;Rodríguez, 2007;Hayes & Daly, 2004). Moreover, the level of risk of re-offending is easily evaluated by means of an objective procedure, and there is a follow-up period of two years, since it has been shown that most re-offending takes place within that time (Bravo, Sierra & del Valle, 2009;Capdevila et al, 2005;Mulder, Brand, Bullens & van Marle, 2011).…”

Incremental and Predictive Validity of the Antisocial Process Screening Device in a Community Sample of Male and Female Ethnic Minority and Caucasian Youth

“…These risk factors were selected given their robust associations with offending in community, clinical, and forensic samples (e.g., Farrington, 1998;Loeber & Hay, 1997;Mulder, Brand, Bullens, & Van Marle, 2010).…”