International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Does Alcohol or Delinquency Help Adolescents Feel Better Over Time? A Study on the Influence of Heavy Drinking and Violent/Property Offending on Negative Emotions
Conceptualizing adolescent drinking and delinquency as adaptations to strain, we explore whether they (a) decrease or increase the probability of feeling depression and anxiety later and (b) ameliorate or aggravate the effect of strain on the negative emotions over time. These relationships are also examined for gender differences by analyzing data separately for males and females as well as both combined. We conducted ordinary least squares regression analysis of panel data from the first two waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Heavy drinking and serious delinquency were found to increa...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - March 30, 2016 Category: Criminology Authors: Jang, S. J., Ferguson, T. W., Rhodes, J. R. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Assessing the Risk Factors of Cyber and Mobile Phone Bullying Victimization in a Nationally Representative Sample of Singapore Youth
This study utilized routine activity theory to examine the relationships between online behaviors, target suitability, and cyber and mobile phone–based bullying victimization in a nationally representative sample of youth from nine schools across Singapore. Key measures in all three categories—access to technology, online routine behaviors, and target suitability—were significant predictors of both forms of bullying victimization. In particular, females and victims of physical bullying were more likely to experience both forms of victimization. Access to technology and online routine behaviors predicted c...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - February 17, 2016 Category: Criminology Authors: Holt, T. J., Fitzgerald, S., Bossler, A. M., Chee, G., Ng, E. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Relationships Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Illicit Drug Use and Their Association With Aggression in Inmates
Extensive interviews of correctional inmates in South Carolina (2009-2010) were conducted under a Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant. We evaluated the extent to which early traumatic brain injury (TBI) and subsequent illicit drug abuse may conjointly influence development of aggression, controlling for alcohol use, and whether cognitive or emotional dysregulation mediated this relationship. Early TBI predicted greater severity and earlier onset of drug use, and an earlier age at first use predicted greater aggression regardless of the age of TBI. Emotional dysregulation mediated effects of TBI on aggress...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - February 17, 2016 Category: Criminology Authors: Fishbein, D., Dariotis, J. K., Ferguson, P. L., Pickelsimer, E. E. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

What the MAYSI-2 Can Tell Us About Anger-Irritability and Trauma
This study uses Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument–Version 2 (MAYSI-2) data to examine the relationship between the Traumatic Experiences (TE) and Angry–Irritable (AI) scales for juvenile offenders (N = 1,348) from a Midwest detention center. Chi-square analyses revealed statistically significant relationships between the AI scale and gender, race, and the TE scale. In addition, ordinal logistic regression results showed that as the number of traumatic experiences increased, so did the odds of scoring Caution or Warning on the AI scale. Recommendations are that juvenile justice systems utilize a trauma-in...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - February 17, 2016 Category: Criminology Authors: McCoy, H., Leverso, J., Bowen, E. A. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

The Influence of Culture-Specific Personality Traits on the Development of Delinquency in At-Risk Youth
The association between culture-specific personality variables and family factors, and juvenile delinquency, was assessed in a sample of 402 adolescents of Chinese ethnicity between 12 and 17 years of age (Mage = 15.13, SD = 1.41; 135 girls), a subgroup of whom were considered at risk for juvenile delinquency owing to addictive behavior tendencies. Culture-specific personality variables were assessed using the Chinese Personality Assessment Inventory–Adolescent version Interpersonal Relatedness factor. The General Function subscale of the Chinese version of the Family Assessment Device was utilized to assess the infl...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - February 17, 2016 Category: Criminology Authors: Tong, T. S., Ku, L., Zaroff, C. M. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

A New Way of Doing Time on the Outside: Sex Offenders Pathways In and Out of a Transitional Housing Facility
Although housing has been highlighted as a key element of successful reentry experiences, little research has considered the perspectives of sex offenders living in transitional housing upon release from prison. This topic is important given the increasing legal restrictions faced by this offender population. The current study utilizes qualitative data to explore the pathways from prison to transitional housing, the experience of residing in these facilities, and how transitional housing is perceived to affect the overall reentry experience. In general, results suggest that sex offenders reside in the facility because of l...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - February 17, 2016 Category: Criminology Authors: Kras, K. R., Pleggenkuhle, B., Huebner, B. M. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

The Influence of Living Situations on Family Therapy Involvement Among Youth Adjudicated of a Sexual Crime
This study reviews the files of youth who have been adjudicated of a sexual crime (N = 85) to quantitatively identify how living situations influence family therapy involvement. Using bivariate estimations, findings reveal that youth living out of the home and those who change placements were more involved in family therapy than those treated in their own communities or homes. Implications and future research directions are considered. (Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology)
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - February 17, 2016 Category: Criminology Authors: Yoder, J. R. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Genes, Parenting, Self-Control, and Criminal Behavior
Self-control has been found to predict a wide variety of criminal behaviors. In addition, studies have consistently shown that parenting is an important influence on both self-control and offending. However, few studies have examined the role that biological factors may play in moderating the relationship between parenting, self-control, and offending. Using a sample of adolescent males drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 3,610), we explore whether variants of the monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA) and the dopamine transporter (DAT1) gene interact with parenting to affect self-control and offe...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - February 2, 2016 Category: Criminology Authors: Watts, S. J., McNulty, T. L. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Testing the Predictive Validity of the LSI-R Using a Sample of Young Male Offenders on Probation in Guangzhou, China
This study explored the predictive validity of the Level of Service Inventory–Revised (LSI-R) with 112 young male probationers on recidivism for new offense and rearrest in Guangzhou, China, from 2010 to 2013. Using bivariate correlations, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, the LSI-R total score was found to be a stable and significant predictor of recidivism. The LSI-R total score and subscales of Criminal History and Leisure/Recreation were significantly correlated to recidivism. There was significant association between time at risk and recidivism. Increase in the LSI-R tot...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - February 2, 2016 Category: Criminology Authors: Zhang, J. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

The Relationship Between the Level of Program Integrity and Pre- and Post-Test Changes of Responsive-Aggression Regulation Therapy (Re-ART) Outpatient: A Pilot Study
Responsive–Aggression Regulation Therapy (Re-ART) Outpatient is a cognitive behavioral–based intervention for adolescents and young adults (16-24 years) with severe aggressive behavioral problems. This pilot study (N = 26) examined the level of program integrity (PI; that is, the delivery of the intervention as it is originally intended) of Re-ART. We also investigated the pre- and post-test changes in several outcome variables, and the relation between the level of PI and these changes. Participants were recruited from three different outpatient forensic settings. Results showed that the PI of half of the trea...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - February 2, 2016 Category: Criminology Authors: Hoogsteder, L. M., van Horn, J. E., Stams, G. J. J. M., Wissink, I. B., Hendriks, J. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Eliciting Responsivity: Exploring Programming Interests of Federal Inmates as a Function of Security Classification
Research supports the effectiveness of the Risk-Needs-Responsivity model for reducing criminal recidivism. Yet programming interests of inmates—one facet of responsivity—remain an understudied phenomenon. In the present study, we explored the programming interests of 753 federal inmates housed across three levels of security. Results suggest that inmates, as a group, prefer specific programs over others, and that some of their interests may differ by security level. We discuss possible implications of these findings. (Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology)
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - February 2, 2016 Category: Criminology Authors: Neller, D. J., Vitacco, M. J., Magaletta, P. R., Phillips-Boyles, A. B. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Expressive and Instrumental Offending: Reconciling the Paradox of Specialisation and Versatility
Although previous research into specialisation has been dominated by the debate over the existence of specialisation versus versatility, it is suggested that research needs to move beyond the restrictions of this dispute. The current study explores the criminal careers of 200 offenders based on their criminal records, obtained from a police database in the North West of England, aiming to understand the patterns and nature of specialisation by determining the presence of differentiation within their general offending behaviours and examining whether the framework of Expressive and Instrumental offending styles can account ...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - February 2, 2016 Category: Criminology Authors: Youngs, D., Ioannou, M., Eagles, J. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

"They Treat Us Like Human Beings"--Experiencing a Therapeutic Sex Offenders Prison: Impact on Prisoners and Staff and Implications for Treatment
This study used a mixed-methods approach to explore the experiences of prisoners and staff at a therapeutically orientated sexual offenders’ prison to understand whether the prison environment was conducive to rehabilitation. The quantitative strand of the research sampled prisoners (n = 112) and staff (n = 48) from a therapeutically orientated sex offenders prison. This strand highlighted that both prisoners and staff had positive attitudes toward offenders and high beliefs that offenders could change. Importantly, the climate was rated positively and, in particular, participants had very high ratings of "experience...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - February 2, 2016 Category: Criminology Authors: Blagden, N., Winder, B., Hames, C. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Validation of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits Among a Portuguese Sample of Detained Juvenile Offenders
The main aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU) among a sample of incarcerated male Portuguese juvenile offenders (N = 221). Based on this sample, the Portuguese version of the ICU demonstrated promising psychometric properties, namely, in terms of factor structure, internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and concurrent validity that generally justifies its use among this population. Statistically significant associations were found with conduct disorder, age of criminal onset, crime seriousness, physical violence us...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - January 19, 2016 Category: Criminology Authors: Pechorro, P., Ray, J. V., Barroso, R., Maroco, J., Goncalves, R. A. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Educational Tracking and Juvenile Deviance in Taiwan: Direct Effect, Indirect Effect, or Both
Educational tracking in Chinese society is quite different from that in Western society, in that the allocation to either the vocational or academic track is based on a national entrance examination, which happens at ninth grade (age 14-15). Hence, students in many Asian countries (e.g., China and Taiwan) have to face academic tracking in early adolescence. Because of cultural emphasis on education in Taiwan, the impact of tracking on deviance is profound and can be seen as a crucial life-event. With this concept in mind, we examine how educational tracking influences adolescent deviance during high school. In addition, we...
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - January 19, 2016 Category: Criminology Authors: Lin, W.-H., Yi, C.-C. Tags: Articles Source Type: research