Antisocial and Delinquent Youths: Methods for Their Early Identification (From Prevention of Delinquent Behavior, P 75-89, 1987, John D Burchard and Sara N Burchard, eds. -- See NCJ-112840)

• NCJ Number: 112843
• Author(s): R Loeber; T J Dishion
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 15 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH 32857; MH 37940
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper reviews evidence of precursors most predictive of juvenile delinquency and recidivism, discusses patterns of early antisocial behavior predictive of chronic delinquency, and demonstrates a preliminary screening device called multiple gating.

Abstract

A review of relevant studies produced a rank order of predictors of delinquency and recidivism in terms of median relative improvement over chance. Delinquency predictors according to their rank order are parental management techniques; child problem behavior and aggressiveness; stealing, lying, or truancy; antisocial behavior of family members; poor educational achievement; separation from parents; and socioeconomic status. Recidivism factors in rank order are stealing, lying, or truancy; child problem behavior; antisocial behavior of family members; prior delinquency; and socioeconomic status. As an inexpensive screening procedure for all subjects, the multiple gating procedure systematically narrows down a high-risk group. The multiple gating procedure designed by the authors uses community agents' reports in a stepwise and economic fashion to identify youths at risk for delinquency. The appendix presents information on the presetting of cutting scores so that correct identifications are optimized and advance adjustments are made for errors. 4 tables and 23 references.