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Risk and Protective Factors of Juvenile Justice Involvement among Post-Adjudicated Young Women

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Abstract

This study utilizes the risk and resilience framework to understand the risk and protective correlates of moderate to high levels of juvenile justice involvement among post-adjudicated young women (N = 365). This exploratory model-building method utilized cross-sectional administrative data collected through the Positive Achievement Change Tool. The analysis yielded the best model using five social history factors, including the age at the time of probation, involvement in structured activities, running away from home, mental health history, and antisocial attitudes and behaviors. Results revealed that those with a history of mental health problems or running away from home had higher odds of having a high level of juvenile justice involvement compared with a lower level of involvement. Moreover, younger women were more likely to have moderate or high levels of juvenile justice involvement than a low level of involvement. Interventions should focus on holistically addressing individual, family, and community factors.

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This work was funded by the Tan Ean Kiam Postgraduate Scholarship award.

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  1. Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, 3511, Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX, 77004, USA

    Sujeeta Elizabeth Menon

  2. Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, Baylor University, Houston, TX, USA

    Danielle Parrish & Qianwei Zhao

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Menon, S.E., Parrish, D. & Zhao, Q. Risk and Protective Factors of Juvenile Justice Involvement among Post-Adjudicated Young Women. Child Adolesc Soc Work J (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-023-00925-0

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