Emergent Transient Adults and the Effect of Prosocial Bonding on Incarceration

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Through the mixed method approach combining qualitative intensive interviews of 12 homeless, transient emergent adult males from the Boston, MA area and the addition of a quantitative data analysis of the National Youth in Transition Database, it is revealed that these emerging adults are able to benefit from pro-social bonds of other adults besides their parents. The study adds to our knowledge of how the emergent adulthood developmental life period acts as a context for the offending of transient males who are in the process of transitioning to adulthood. After the adults lose their social capital as they age out of the foster care system, run away from home, or become homeless, they are less likely to commit crime when they have the social capital resources of other pro-social adults. Implications of the research include the need to focus on the group’s unique educational, mentoring, and problem solving requirements while they are exploring new life options and gaining important life skills that will act as protective factors against offending.

Author

• Edward Gregory Weeks, University of Massachusetts, Lowell