Key findings from the Pittsburgh Youth Study

• In Event: Advancing Knowledge about Delinquency and Justice

Abstract

The Pittsburgh Youth Study is a longitudinal study of 1,517 boys. It was initiated in 1987, and they were regularly followed up at mostly yearly intervals from childhood until their thirties. The study has generated over 160 peer-reviewed papers and four books. This presentation focuses on key findings in areas such as the prediction of violence and homicide offenders, and the prediction of homicide victims. In addition, results are presented on desistance from offending in the context of the age-crime curve, and the important problem of cohort differences in gun carrying and drug dealing. The results are discussed for their relevance to justice and preventive interventions.

Authors

• Rolf Loeber, University of Pittsburgh

• David Philip Farrington, Cambridge University

• Magda Stouthamer-Loeber, University of Pittsburgh

• Dustin Pardini, University of Pittsburgh