The association between experiences of exclusionary discipline and justice system contact: A systematic review

Publication date: May–June 2018Source: Aggression and Violent Behavior, Volume 40Author(s): Abigail NovakAbstractThe term “school-to-prison pipeline” is regularly used by policymakers and researchers alike to describe school-level policies pushing students from schools into the juvenile and adult justice systems. Though the term is widely used, its interpretation and specified components vary across disciplines. Research assessing the pipeline's existence paints a complex picture, leading to questions about the existence of a non-spurious association between exclusionary discipline and justice system contact. The purpose of this systematic review is to assess existing empirical evidence evaluating the association between experiences of exclusionary discipline and subsequent justice system involvement. This review is limited to studies using multivariate, inferential statistical techniques. A total of seven studies met specified qualifications and are included in the review. All studies found a significant association between experiences of exclusionary discipline and subsequent justice system contact, with odds ratios ranging from 1.72 to 5.17. Further research is needed to extend understanding of how this association differs according to age at first experience of exclusionary discipline and frequency of discipline. Additionally, future research should explore possible mediating and moderating factors influencing the relationship between exclusionary discipline and jus...
Source: Aggression and Violent Behavior - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research