Date of Award

Spring 5-2022

Degree Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

School

Psychology

Committee Chair

Stephanie D. Smith

Committee Chair School

Psychology

Committee Member 2

Nora E. Charles

Committee Member 2 School

Psychology

Committee Member 3

Ashley B. Batastini

Abstract

Some youths committed to juvenile justice residential facilities struggle to adjust and may exhibit institutional rule violations that necessitate an intensive supervision placement (ISP). ISPs require substantial institutional resources and may result in additional negative outcomes for these committed youths (e.g., additional charges, longer commitment). To date, only two studies have examined factors that place committed youths at greater risk of ISPs, and it was found that commitment length, number of arrests, age at admission, impulsive/reactive and psychopathic traits, and anger-irritability were predictive of ISPs (Taylor et al., 2007; Butler et al., 2007). The present study considered additional predictors that were identified in studies examining risk factors of adult administrative segregation and institutional misconduct of committed youths that may be predictive of ISPs during a youth’s commitment. Using archival data collected from April 2010 to May 2011 on a sample of 119 committed youths (mean age = 16.44 years, 70% Black and 30% White) from a maximum-security residential facility, we evaluated whether age, race, gang membership, number of adjudicated offenses, institutional rule violations, externalizing symptoms, and internalizing symptoms predicted total number of ISPs. Additionally, we evaluated if major rule violations lead to more ISPs compared to minor rule violations. Results revealed that age and total number of institutional rule violations significantly predicted ISPs. Additionally, major rule violations predicted ISPs whereas minor rule violations did not. Based on these findings, clinical implications for justice-involved youths prior to entry into a residential facility, during commitment, and post-release are discussed.

Download

  Contact Author

Share

COinS