The role of parental and sibling relationships during adolescence in determining adulthood entrance and recidivism rates in the criminal justice system
Abstract
An earlier age of first arrest has been found by many sources to be highly predictive of an adult's reentry into the criminal justice system. Thus, when juvenile arrest rates increase, adulthood recidivism rates increase as well. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of parental and sibling relationships during adolescence in predicting adulthood involvement with the criminal justice system. Additionally, many variables are controlled for in order to understand the true relationship that family factors have on criminal justice system involvement. Logistic regressions were performed to analyze the relationships between family variables in a secondary data analysis of 2,741 adolescents during three waves in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. The results did not support the hypotheses that family factors play a large role in predicting involvement with the criminal justice system. However, the results did confirm previous research as many of the control variables, such as adolescent drug use, race, gender, and familial criminal history were found to have a relationship with criminal justice system involvement. Implications for family therapists and those who work with adolescents are discussed.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Nalbone, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Behavioral psychology|Social psychology|Individual & family studies
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