NCJ Number
245834
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 50 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2013 Pages: 551-578
Date Published
November 2013
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This study examined whether developmental role attainment in three areas: high school graduation, employment, and marriage mediates the relationship between childhood abuse and neglect and adult arrest.
Abstract
This study examines whether developmental role attainment in three areas high school graduation, employment, and marriage mediates the relationship between childhood abuse and neglect and adult arrest. Children with documented cases of physical and sexual abuse and neglect before age 11 and a comparison group of nonabused or neglected children were matched on age, sex, race, and approximate socioeconomic status N = 1,169 and followed-up and interviewed at approximate age 29. Arrest records were collected from law enforcement agencies. Childhood abuse and neglect predicted decreased likelihood of graduating from high school, current employment, and current marriage and greater likelihood of juvenile and adult arrest. Each of these developmental roles partially mediated the relationship between childhood abuse and neglect and adult arrest. The importance of these three developmental milestones and implications of the results for intervening with abused and neglected youth are discussed. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.