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Sbeglia C, Smith CD, Frick PJ, Steinberg L, Cauffman E. Too sensitive or not sensitive enough? Sensitivity to context and justice-involved youths' response to violence exposure. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE 2024; 34:658-669. [PMID: 38500240 DOI: 10.1111/jora.12934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
With high rates of violence exposure among justice-involved youth, it is critical to identify factors that might impact the likelihood of youth engaging in violence themselves. One such factor is sensitivity to context, which describes how sensitive youth are to experiences in their environment. Using an ethnically diverse sample of justice-involved male adolescents (47% Latino, 38% Black/African American, 15% White) aged 13-17 at the time of their first arrest, the results of this study indicate that exposure to violence was related to increased violent behavior six months later, and this effect was strongest among youth who were low in sensitivity to context. These findings may help practitioners identify which youth are at greatest risk for violence in a policy-relevant population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul J Frick
- Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
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Upton F. Addressing Challenges and Opportunities in Juvenile Justice: Meeting the Needs of Incarcerated Adolescent Populations. Psychol Sci Public Interest 2023; 24:127-132. [PMID: 38236944 DOI: 10.1177/15291006231218669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
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Cauffman E, Gillespie ML, Beardslee J, Davis F, Hernandez M, Williams T. Adolescent Contact, Lasting Impact? Lessons Learned From Two Longitudinal Studies Spanning 20 Years of Developmental Science Research With Justice-System-Involved Youths. Psychol Sci Public Interest 2023; 24:133-161. [PMID: 38236945 PMCID: PMC10799550 DOI: 10.1177/15291006231205173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
In this article, we summarize key findings from 20 years of research conducted at the intersection of developmental psychology and juvenile justice in the United States. We predominantly examine data from two large-scale, multisite longitudinal studies involving justice-system-involved adolescents-the Pathways to Desistance study and the Crossroads study. Topics of discussion include predictors of offending and desistance from crime; youth outcomes and psychosocial needs; and emerging research, programs, and policy initiatives. First, individual-level (e.g., age, psychosocial maturity) and contextual-level (e.g., antisocial peers, exposure to violence) risk factors associated with offending are explored. Second, we discuss short-term and long-term outcomes of justice-system contact for youths engaging in moderate offenses. We highlight main findings from the Crossroads study indicating that youths who are sanctioned by the justice system at their first arrest have worse outcomes than youths who are diverted from formal processing. Additionally, we discuss the high prevalence of youths' exposure to violence and mental health disorders as well as the differential treatment of youths of color in the justice system. Third, we extend the conversation to justice-system-involved young adults and discuss emerging, innovative legal solutions, including young adult courts. Last, we discuss real-world implications of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marie L Gillespie
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine
| | - Jordan Beardslee
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine
| | - Frank Davis
- Alternate Public Defender's Office, Orange County, California
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Souverein F, Mulder E, van Domburgh L, Popma A. Relational security: conceptualization and operationalization in small-scale, strengths-based, community-embedded youth justice facilities. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2023; 17:99. [PMID: 37592271 PMCID: PMC10436386 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-023-00638-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the developmental vulnerability of justice-involved youth, providing a safe environment in secure facilities is a paramount, yet challenging task. Within this complexity, a sound security framework is key. The security framework exists on three dimensions: physical, procedural and relational security. Existing knowledge points at the importance of a shift in focus on physical and procedural security towards relational security as the core of the security framework. At the same time there is a dearth of knowledge on relational security, particularly in the context of youth justice. This paper explores relational security and its working mechanisms in practice. METHODS This paper draws on findings of a comprehensive three-year evaluation of three small-scale, community-embedded facilities that are grounded in relational security. The approach of the evaluation was derived from action research, involving a cyclic process alternating between action, research and critical reflection, while engaging all stakeholders in the research process. The action research cycle involved qualitative research (a total of 63 semi-structured interviews) incorporating the perspective of staff, youth and parents. RESULTS Relational security is grounded in three distinct, but interrelated, elements - staff's basic attitude, a constructive alliance between staff and youth, staff presence - and promotes a safe and therapeutic environment through several mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS Relational security can be defined in a practical conceptualization; outlining a way of working that guides staff in how to establish a safe and therapeutic environment in secure facilities. This conceptualization finds support in the well-established literature covering the therapeutic alliance and can be substantiated by two aligning theories concerning youth justice strategies: social-ecological theory and self-determination theory. Relational security is not only a way of working, but also a way of being. It encompasses a vision about security and mentality towards justice-involved youth that sees them not merely as 'risks to be managed', but primarly as 'resources to be developed'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fleur Souverein
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychosocial Care department Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 5, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Van der Boechorststraat 7, Amsterdam, 1081 BT, The Netherlands.
- Academische Werkplaats Risicojeugd, Postbus 53, Nijmegen, 6500 AB, The Netherlands.
| | - Eva Mulder
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychosocial Care department Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 5, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Van der Boechorststraat 7, Amsterdam, 1081 BT, The Netherlands
- Academische Werkplaats Risicojeugd, Postbus 53, Nijmegen, 6500 AB, The Netherlands
- Child development and education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- LUMC Curium - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lieke van Domburgh
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychosocial Care department Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 5, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Van der Boechorststraat 7, Amsterdam, 1081 BT, The Netherlands
- Academische Werkplaats Risicojeugd, Postbus 53, Nijmegen, 6500 AB, The Netherlands
| | - Arne Popma
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychosocial Care department Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 5, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Van der Boechorststraat 7, Amsterdam, 1081 BT, The Netherlands
- Academische Werkplaats Risicojeugd, Postbus 53, Nijmegen, 6500 AB, The Netherlands
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Dir AL, Pederson C, Khazvand S, Schwartz K, Wiehe SE, Aalsma MC. Caregiver and Juvenile Justice Personnel Perspectives on challenges and importance of caregiver engagement and the potential utility of a peer navigator program in the Juvenile Justice System. HEALTH & JUSTICE 2023; 11:30. [PMID: 37542571 PMCID: PMC10403869 DOI: 10.1186/s40352-023-00231-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For youth involved in the juvenile justice (JJ) system, caregiver involvement and engagement in the system is crucial for youth development and outcomes of JJ cases; however, there are challenges to establishing positive/productive partnerships between caregivers and JJ representatives. The current project examines perspectives of caregivers and JJ personnel regarding facilitators and barriers to establishing JJ-caregiver partnerships, as well as their perceptions of the use of a caregiver navigator program to support caregivers of system-involved youth. Results are used to inform development of a caregiver navigator program to support caregivers and help them navigate the JJ system. RESULTS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with caregivers of youth involved in JJ (n = 15, 53% White, 93% female), JJ personnel (n = 7, 100% White, 50% female), and JJ family advisory board members (n = 5, 100% Black, 100% female). Caregivers reported varying experiences across intake/arrest, court, and probation processes. Positive experiences were characterized by effective communication and feeling supported by JJ. Negative experiences related to feeling blamed and punished for their child's system involvement and feeling unsupported. JJ interviews corroborated caregiver sentiments and also illustrated facilitators and barriers to JJ-caregiver partnerships. Both JJ personnel and caregivers endorsed potential benefits of a peer-based caregiver navigator program to provide social, informational, and emotional support. CONCLUSION Continued work is needed to improve JJ-caregiver partnerships and use of a peer-based navigator program has the potential to address barriers to caregiver engagement in the JJ system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allyson L Dir
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Adolescent Behavioral Health Research Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Casey Pederson
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Adolescent Behavioral Health Research Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Shirin Khazvand
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Katie Schwartz
- Adolescent Behavioral Health Research Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sarah E Wiehe
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Matthew C Aalsma
- Adolescent Behavioral Health Research Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Pederson CA, Fite PJ, Poquiz JL. Demographic Differences in Youth Perceptions of Staff: A National Evaluation of Adjudicated Youth. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OFFENDER THERAPY AND COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGY 2021; 65:1143-1163. [PMID: 32524913 DOI: 10.1177/0306624x20928027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Despite the large societal and personal cost associated with the detainment of juvenile offenders in residential facilities, little is known about the factors that contribute to youth behavior while incarcerated. One factor that may be of importance to maintaining security within facilities and improving rehabilitation efforts is youth's perceptions of correctional staff, namely, youth's perceptions of positive staff characteristics (e.g., friendliness; helpfulness) and staff behavior toward youth (e.g., fair punishments). Accordingly, the current study used the National Survey of Youth in Custody across two cohorts to better understand youth perceptions about staff by examining rates of these perceptions within juvenile detention centers nationwide. Furthermore, given the overrepresentation of marginalized groups in the justice system, systematic differences in youth's perceptions about staff were evaluated based on demographic characteristics, including age, race, sex, and sexual orientation, to better understand how these characteristics influence youth perceptions. Results suggested several significant differences based on demographic characteristics, with the most prominent and consistent differences associated with race and age, with Black youth and older youth having the least positive views of staff. Interestingly, non-heterosexual youth were more likely to view staff characteristics as positive than heterosexual youth. Implications of findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jonathan L Poquiz
- University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, IL, USA
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Shulman EP, Beardslee J, Fine A, Frick PJ, Steinberg L, Cauffman E. Exposure to Gun Violence: Associations with Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, and Aggression among Male Juvenile Offenders. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 50:353-366. [PMID: 33830838 DOI: 10.1080/15374416.2021.1888742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To examine whether at-risk male youth experience increases in anxiety, depressive symptoms, and aggression during years when they are exposed to gun violence, adjusting for relevant covariates.Method: Participants were 1,216 male, justice-involved adolescents who were recently arrested for the first time for a moderate offense. They were interviewed 9 times over 5 years. Fixed effects (within-individual) regression models were used to estimate concurrent associations between exposure to gun violence and three outcomes: depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and aggression (both overall and separately for proactive and reactive aggression). The reverse direction (anxiety, depressive symptoms, and aggression predicting gun violence exposure) was also modeled.Results: After controlling for covariates, exposure to gun violence was significantly associated with increases in reactive aggression and, to a lesser extent, increases in proactive aggression. In addition, gun violence exposure was associated with increased anxiety but not depressive symptoms. We found no support for the reverse direction.Conclusions: At-risk males experienced significant increases in anxiety and aggression (particularly reactive aggression) during years when they are exposed to gun violence, even after accounting for several potential confounding factors. The greater impact on reactive aggression suggests that exposure to gun violence may affect self-regulation and/or social information processing. The analyses shed light on the less-visible damage wrought by gun violence and underscore the importance of mental health screening and treatment for youth who have been exposed to violence - especially gun violence - both to assist individual youths and to disrupt cycles of violence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jordan Beardslee
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine
| | - Adam Fine
- Criminology & Criminal Justice, Arizona State University
| | - Paul J Frick
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University.,Faculty of Education and the Arts, Australian Catholic University
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