The Prediction of Criminal Recidivism in Juveniles

2001/06/01 by CINDY C. COTTLE, Cindy C. Cottle, RIA J. LEE +3 · 1 citation
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Crime Patterns and Interventions #Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis #Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending

paper · doi:10.1177/0093854801028003005

openalex publication_date 2001/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31

Abstract

A meta-analysis was conducted to identify risk factors that best predict juvenile recidivism, defined as rearrest for offending of any kind. Twenty-three published studies, representing 15,265 juveniles, met inclusion criteria. Effect sizes were calculated for 30 predictors of recidivism. Eight groups of predictors were compared: (a) demographic information, (b) offense history, (c) family and social factors, (d) educational factors, (e) intellectual and achievement scores, (f) substance use history, (g) clinical factors, and (h) formal risk assessment. The domain of offense history was the strongest predictor of reoffending. Other relatively strong predictors included family problems, ineffective use of leisure time, delinquent peers, conduct problems, and nonsevere pathology.

Citations

• Adolescence-limited and life-course-persistent antisocial behavior: A developmental taxonomy.
• The role of early aggressive behavior in the frequency, seriousness, and types of later crime.

Cited by

• Can the interaction of offending propensity and criminogenic exposure explain reoffending among justice-involved adolescents?

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