Within-Individual Effects of Dropping out of School on Violent Victimization Among Serious Adolescent Offenders

Abstract

Despite a recent decrease in both school dropout and victimization rates, many harsh and exclusionary school policies continue to push school-aged adolescents out of school. This study combines two research areas—school dropout and violent victimization—by investigating if dropping out of school increases the chance of violent victimization. It is hypothesized that a change in the opportunity structure associated with risky lifestyles and routine activities accounts for the link between school dropout and violent victimization. Drawing on longitudinal panel data collected from a relatively homogenous sample of 1354 serious adolescent offenders who are predominantly minorities (75%) and males (86%) and fixed-effects models which enhance the causal validity of the findings by using the same individuals as their own counterfactuals over time, this study shows that dropping out of school leads to the perpetuation of violent victimization, primarily due to a change in the opportunity structure associated with risky lifestyles and routine activities. By uncovering the pathway between school dropout and victimization, this study contributes to the knowledge base on the impact of school dropouts, the source of violent victimization, and the causal mechanism underlying the link between dropping out of school and violent victimization—all of which are relatively understudied despite their significant implications for theory and policy.

Neuropsychological Assessment in Schooled Adolescent Offenders and Non-Offenders

“…Added to this is the fact that adolescent offenders usually have high dropout rates which is often related to a disadvantaged environment, as is the case of the sample of this study with 87.1%. Studies such as Na (2022) found that school dropout can lead adolescents to violent victimization because it can change life opportunities and lead them to risky lifestyles. It should also be taken into account that not all adolescent offenders who are serving their sentences complete their schooling in detention centers.…”

Machine Learning Applications to Identify Young Offenders Using Data from Cognitive Function Tests

“…In summary, adolescent offenders confront substantial educational issues, including poor academic performance, dropout, and limited access to suitable educational opportunities [11]. Furthermore, these adolescents could encounter additional societal obstacles, Data 2023, 8, 174 2 of 15 including racial and ethnic bias, domestic instability, and exposure to community violence.…”