Child Maltreatment and Juvenile Delinquency: Does a Relationship Exist? (From Prevention of Delinquent Behavior, P 122-138, 1987, John D Burchard and Sara N Burchard, eds. -- See NCJ-112840)

• NCJ Number: 112845
• Author(s): T W Lane; G E Davis
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper reviews empirical research that explores and specifies the relationship between child abuse and neglect and subsequent delinquency, critiquing the methods and results of these studies and suggesting future research, prevention efforts, and intervention programs.

Abstract

In the studies reviewed, 1 to 25 percent of abused children later committed juvenile offenses, and approximately 15 percent of neglected children did so. These studies, however, contain numerous methodological problems that render the interpretation of these data ambiguous. In the absence of control groups, longitudinal research studies on crime and delinquency can be used to shed some light on the significance of these data. No study to date has found an association between child abuse or neglect and delinquent behavior that varies significantly from delinquency prevalence rates. Child abuse and neglect are associated with a variety of negative outcomes other than subsequent delinquency, such that the prevention of child abuse is justified on many bases. Studies suggest that intervention of families of abused or neglected children may prevent the siblings of the maltreated child from becoming abused or neglected or from committing a juvenile offense. 47 references.