NCJ Number
153361
Journal
Mississippi Voices for Children and Youth Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-February 1995) Pages: 14-17
Date Published
1995
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This literature review of relevant empirical research examines the links between child maltreatment and juvenile delinquency.
Abstract
The review shows that there is some empirical evidence to support the existence of several links. Apparently, child maltreatment (particularly when defined broadly) is associated with juvenile delinquency (particularly when defined narrowly). The links may be causal in both directions, as well as being the result of common etiology in disrupted, ineffectual families and culturally based practices that encourage family violence, decrease social control in adolescence, and support institutional practices that respond punitively to adolescent reactions to family disruption. The relative importance and strength of these links remain undetermined, however. Also, the available evidence does not address many historical and cultural issues of significant relevance. Research has not yet determined whether recent efforts to deinstitutionalize status offenders have strengthened or weakened the link between maltreatment and delinquency. Neither has research examined the effects of recent increases in reported abuse, particularly sexual abuse. Nor has research determined whether the presumed causal links between maltreatment and delinquency operate differently for various groups within society.