The Risk and Protective Factors of Violent Juvenile Offending

Abstract

Understanding the etiology of violent juvenile offending is critical for prevention and intervention efforts. The risk factors examined included marital status of parents, marital conflict, substance use, age of first substance use, learning difficulties, and school failure. The protective factors assessed included parenting styles, academic achievement, attitudes unfavorable toward violence, having a mentor, positive relationships with peers, and being involved in extracurricular activities. One hundred and twenty-four participants between the ages 14 and 18 years were assessed. A discriminant functions analysis revealed that multiple risk and protective factors were significant in predicting group membership. The nondelinquent group had significantly more protective factors than the other two groups. Significant gender differences were also found.

Keywords

gender juvenile delinquency protective factor risk factor violence

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