The Path to Criminal Behavior Identifying and Mitigating Risk Factors in Juveniles

Why study developmental and environmental risk factors? To enhance the efficacy of our prevention programs, thereby: Improving public safety Reducing costs and resource burden Improving the chances of a bright future for at-risk youth While circumstances leading to criminal behavior vary by individual, research has shown that there are several common developmental and environmental factors that can increase a juvenile’s risk for delinquency. By understanding these risk factors, we can improve the efficacy of our prevention programs. This, in turn, can help us improve public safety, reduce costs and resources, and improve the chances of a bright future for at-risk youth.

Developmental Risk Factors Early developmental delays: Language or speech Movement Vision Cognitive abilities Social skills Emotional control According to a 2013 study published in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, “children with early developmental delays are at heightened risk for behavior problems and comorbid psychopathology” (Gerstein, Pedersen y Arbona, Crnic, Ryu, Baker, & Blacher, 2013, p. 351). These delays can include issues with language or speech, movement, vision, cognitive abilities, social skills, and emotional control. It is thought that children with these delays have difficulty regulating their behavior, which over time can lead to violence, aggression, and criminal activity (Gerstein et al., 2011).

Developmental Risk Factors Can be caused by: Smoking, alcohol, and drug use during pregnancy Birth complications Teenage pregnancy Maternal depression and/or stress Primary prenatal risk factors that can cause these delays have been identified as (Liu, 2011): Smoking, alcohol, and drug use during pregnancy Birth complications Teenage pregnancy Maternal depression and/or stress

Mitigating Developmental Risk Protective factors: Screening prospective and expecting mothers for drug, alcohol and tobacco use, as well as depression and stress Referral for appropriate treatment and counseling Earlier, more comprehensive education programs in schools Increased access to and quality of prenatal care Protective factors can help reduce these early health risks through awareness and proper care. These include (Liu, 2011): Screening prospective and expecting mothers for drug, alcohol and tobacco use, as well as depression and stress Referral for appropriate treatment and counseling Earlier, more comprehensive education programs in schools Increased access to and quality of prenatal care

Environmental Risk Factors Environmental risk factors refer to the socioeconomic and demographic influences on a child’s life, such as (Shader, n.d.): Child abuse Malnutrition Poverty Family conflict Lack of discipline or overly strict discipline Separation from parents Poor attitude and performance at school Neighborhood crime Weak social ties Delinquent peers

Mitigating Environmental Risk Protective factors: Individual and family counseling Tutoring and/or alternative education Participation in clubs or extracurricular activities Mentorship programs Many environmental factors are difficult to change, such as poverty or absence of a parent, for example. But several protective factors can minimize the adverse effects of these circumstances. These include (“Risk & Protective Factors,” n.d.): Individual and family counseling Tutoring and/or alternative education Participation in clubs or extracurricular activities Mentorship programs

The Role of Gender Males typically commit more crimes than females, especially violent crimes Males tend to be more influenced by environmental factors, while females tend to be more influenced by developmental factors Some researchers argue that gender is one of the strongest predictors of criminal behavior. There have been numerous studies revealing a wide variety of insights related to the role of gender in juvenile delinquency, but two key takeaways for intervention efforts are (Denno, 1997): Males typically commit more crimes than females, especially violent crimes Males tend to be more influenced by environmental factors ,while females tend to be more influenced by developmental factors This information can help us target our outreach more effectively based on each individual’s gender and circumstances. For example, a male would likely be more affected by the absence of a parent at home, particularly a father. Therefore he might be a good candidate for referral to a mentoring program, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters. Conversely, a female would likely be more affected by maternal depression (Liu, 2011), and could potentially benefit from childhood therapy sessions.

Our mission Be proactive: Identify risk factors and intervene early to prevent delinquent behavior In conclusion, our mission is to be proactive. When we learn to identify these various risk factors for criminal behavior, and seek to understand their underlying causes, we are better equipped to intervene early, rather than trying to address the problem later through punitive action.

References Denno, DW. (1997) Gender Differences in Biological and Sociological Predictors of Crime. 22 Vt. L. Rev. 305. Retrieved from: http://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/faculty_scholarship/123. Gerstein, E.D. Pedersen y Arbona, A., Crnic, K.A., Ryu, E., Baker, B.L., & Blacher, J. (April 2011). Developmental Risk and Young Children’s Regulatory Strategies: Predicting Behavior Problems at Age Five. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 39(3): 351–364. doi: 10.1007/s10802-010-9471-5. Liu, J. (2011). Early Health Risk Factors for Violence: Conceptualization, Review of the Evidence, and Implications. Aggress Violent Behav. 16(1): 63–73. doi: 10.1016/j.avb.2010.12.003. National Institute of Justice. (n.d.). Risk and Protective Factors. Retrieved from: https://www.crimesolutions.gov/TopicDetails.aspx?ID=69. Shader, M. (n.d.). Risk Factors for Delinquency: An Overview. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Retrieved from: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/frd030127.pdf.