Delinquent Behavior, Official Delinquency, and Gender: Consequences for Adulthood Functioning and Well-Being

• NCJ Number: 217935
• Journal: Criminology Volume: 45 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2007 Pages: 131-158
• Author(s): Nadine Lanctot; Stephen A. Cernkovich; Peggy C. Giordano
• Date Published: February 2007
• Length: 28 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH 29095; MH 46410
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health; Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR); Ohio Board of Regents; Canada Research Chairs
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study evaluated the consequences of both delinquent behavior and institutionalization as a juvenile delinquent on the quality of adult functioning and well-being, with a specific focus on gender differences.

Abstract

The study results stress the importance of assessing multiple life domains to better identify the risks and needs of adjudicated juvenile clientele. The results show that among the 16 indicators of adult functioning and well-being under study all were significantly more problematic for the previously institutionalized respondents than for the household respondents. Having been in juvenile delinquent institutions seriously compromises multiple life domains. With regard to gender comparisons, many differences were observed. Among the 16 outcomes that were assessed, 5 were more problematic for males and 9 were more problematic for females. Gender differences were observed in every life domain. The results indicate that previously institutionalized females face the adverse conditions during young adulthood. Institutional females have difficulties coping with adulthood, notably because they experience important socioeconomic disadvantages and are less integrated into the workforce and more dependent on government assistance. The transition from adolescence to adulthood is an important stage in the personal and social development of youth. However, for some youth the period of emerging adulthood presents its share of adverse conditions. Studies suggest a negative impact of both juvenile delinquency and juvenile institutionalization on some adult outcomes. This study focused on the nature and extent of the difficulties faced in adulthood by previously institutionalized delinquent males and females, in comparison with their counterparts who had no formal contact with the juvenile justice system. It examined whether previous institutionalization as a juvenile delinquent was predictive of negative adult outcomes when controlling for the extent of self-reported juvenile delinquency. Lastly, it assessed the effect of juvenile self-reported delinquent behavior on adult outcomes, independent of whether the respondent had been institutionalized. Tables, references