Title

The Influence of Psychosocial Maturity on Adolescent Offenders' Delinquent Behavior

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry

Publication Date

4-2008

Document Type

Article

Subjects

Juvenile Delinquency; Adolescent Behavior; Violence; Adolescent

Disciplines

Health Services Research | Mental and Social Health | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Psychiatry | Psychiatry and Psychology

Abstract

Prior research has demonstrated the predictive utility of psychosocial maturity in understanding adolescents' decison making regarding antisocial behaviors and other legal decisions. This study investigated the influence of psychosocial maturity on adolescent offenders' self-report of delinquent behaviors over a 12-month time period. A total sample of 136 male and female juvenile offenders were recruited from two juvenile justice settings. Consistent with prior research, results indicated significant correlations between psychosocial maturity variables and self-reported delinquent behavior with the current results revealing a moderating effect of gender on these associations. Separate regression analyses were conducted for male and female juvenile offenders. After controlling for age and setting, the psychosocial maturity variable of temperance consistently predicted self-reported total, violent, and nonviolent delinquency for boys.

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Citation: Keith R. Cruise, Krissie Fernandez, Wendy K. McCoy, Laura S. Guy, Lori H. Colwell, Tanisha R. Douglas. The Influence of Psychosocial Maturity on Adolescent Offenders' Delinquent Behavior. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice April 2008 6: 178-194, doi:10.1177/1541204007313229

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice

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