NCJ Number
102001
Journal
Adolescence Volume: 21 Issue: 82 Dated: (Summer 1986) Pages: 357-364
Date Published
1986
Length
8 pages
Annotation
An investigation of factors influencing truancy from a juvenile court treatment facility showed that males with prior adjudication for home or school truancy had a 65 percent probability of eloping from the court facility as compared to a 34 percent probability for youth adjudicated for other offenses.
Abstract
Youth born in 1962 (N = 124) who were placed in the facility were compared for number of truancies, background, and personality variables. Most females were adjudicated for truancy offenses and showed a 62 percent probability of truancy while in the court facility. Further, for females who eloped and were returned, the probability of a subsequent truancy was above 80 percent. Personality characteristics of truants varied with sex: male truants were more likely to be conduct disordered youth for which impulsivity and disregard for social norms is prevalent, whereas female truants appear more likely to be in conflict over autonomy issues. Tables and 10 references. (Author abstract)