NCJ Number
139466
Journal
Reports of the National Research Institute of Police Science Volume: 33 Issue: 1 Dated: (July 1992) Pages: 14-29
Date Published
1992
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study investigated differences between glue sniffers and other delinquents in Japan regarding their family bonds, school life, and delinquent careers. The study also analyzed how subjects' family bonds and school life were related to their subsequent delinquency careers.
Abstract
In November 1983 through March 1984, a nationwide survey on the characteristics of delinquents arrested was conducted; later, a 3-year follow-up study on their subsequent delinquent careers was performed. Subjects were 4,763 (2,868 males and 1,895 females) first-time offenders who were junior and senior high school students (those under 16 years old) at the time of the first offense. The study found that those arrested for glue sniffing were more likely to be rearrested than those arrested for other types of offenses. Glue sniffers had a tendency to repeat the same types of offenses, although male glue sniffers tended to commit violent offenses as well. The family bonds of glue sniffers were weaker than those of other types of delinquents. Regarding school life, the relation of glue sniffers with their teachers was worse than for other types of delinquents. Also, glue sniffers tended to have delinquent friends. Delinquent careers were apparently related not only to family bonds and school life, but also to some other factors specific for glue sniffing, since the rate of rearrest for glue sniffers was considerably higher than for other types of delinquents, even when controlling for family-related and school-related factors. Among glue sniffers, those rated "average" or "bad" for family bonds and school life were more likely to be rearrested than those rated "good." 13 tables (Author abstract modified)