The influence of psychosocial maturity on adolescent offenders' delinquent behavior

Keith R. Cruise*, Krissie Fernandez, Wendy K. McCoy, Laura S. Guy, Lori H. Colwell, Tanisha R. Douglas

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Prior research has demonstrated the predictive utility of psychosocial maturity in understanding adolescents' decison making regarding antisocial behaviors and other legal decisions. This study investigated the influence of psychosocial maturity on adolescent offenders' self-report of delinquent behaviors over a 12-month time period. A total sample of 136 male and female juvenile offenders were recruited from two juvenile justice settings. Consistent with prior research, results indicated significant correlations between psychosocial maturity variables and self-reported delinquent behavior with the current results revealing a moderating effect of gender on these associations. Separate regression analyses were conducted for male and female juvenile offenders. After controlling for age and setting, the psychosocial maturity variable of temperance consistently predicted self-reported total, violent, and nonviolent delinquency for boys.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)178-194
Number of pages17
JournalYouth Violence and Juvenile Justice
Volume6
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2008

Keywords

  • Juvenile offender
  • Psychosocial maturity
  • Self-report
  • Violence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Law

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The influence of psychosocial maturity on adolescent offenders' delinquent behavior'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this