Sex and Racial/Ethnic Differences in Positive Outcomes in Delinquent Youth After Detention: A 12-Year Longitudinal Study

• NCJ Number: 250602
• Journal: JAMA Pediatrics Volume: 171 Issue: 2 Dated: 2017 Pages: 123-132
• Author(s): Karen M. Abram; Nicole M. Azores-Gococo; Kristin M. Emanuel; A. Aaby; Leah J. Welty; Jennifer A. Hershfield; Melinda S. Rosenbaum; Linda A. Teplin
• Date Published: February 2017
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1999-JE-FX-1001; 2005-JL-FX-0288; 2008-JF-FX-0068
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Grant Sponsored)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) grant sponsored study sought to determine if delinquent youth attain age-appropriate psychosocial outcomes in young adulthood after detention, and do outcomes vary by sex and race/ethnicity?

Abstract

In seeking to determine if delinquent youth attain age-appropriate psychosocial outcomes in young adulthood after detention, and do outcomes vary by sex and race/ethnicity, this longitudinal study followed 1,829 delinquent youth for a period of 12 years after detention. Findings indicated that only 21.9% of males and 54.7% of females had achieved more than half of the eight positive psychosocial outcomes examined. Minority males, particularly African Americans, were the least likely to achieve age-appropriate milestones. As for the intent to improve outcomes for youth after detention, pediatric health care professionals should recognize the importance of psychosocial health, partner with on-site psychosocial services in their practices, and facilitate access to services in the community.