Title
The Influence of Psychosocial Maturity on Adolescent Offenders' Delinquent Behavior
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Psychiatry
Publication Date
2008-4
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.
DOI of Published Version
10.1177/1541204007313229
Source
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
Repository Citation
Cruise KR, Fernandez K, McCoy WK, Guy LS, Colwell LH, Douglas TR. (2008). The Influence of Psychosocial Maturity on Adolescent Offenders' Delinquent Behavior. Implementation Science and Practice Advances Research Center Publications. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541204007313229. Retrieved from https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/psych_cmhsr/333