Key Findings from the Incarcerated Serious and Violent Young Offender Study: Offending in Emerging Adulthood

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

Arnett identified emerging adulthood as a key developmental stage characterized by marked changes in roles and identity development. Developmental life course (DLC) criminologists have also considered this stage as a particularly important transition period with important implications for whether offending persistence or desistance is observed. Four papers are presented as part of this panel, all using data from the Incarcerated Serious and Violent Young Offender Study, to examine the impact of childhood and adolescent risk factors on offending persistence or desistance during emerging adulthood. In the first study, the role of youth gang involvement on adult offending outcomes is examined. In the second study, perceptions of self-identity while incarcerated is examined as a factor that can promote desistance from crime at community reentry. In the third study, foster care placement is identified as a critical risk factor associated with a lack of resources, especially as youth enter adulthood. In the fourth study, female-specific pathways to offending are examined, with an emphasis on the link between early victimization experiences and adult offending outcomes. Collectively, the four papers have implications for developmental life course criminology and how certain risk factors can prolong criminal careers through the transition into emerging adulthood.

Sub Unit

• Area III. Theoretical Explanations of Crime and Criminal Behavior / 4. Developmental and Life Course Perspectives

Division of Special Interests

• Divisions of Special Interest / Division of Developmental/Life-Course Criminology

• Divisions of Special Interest / Division on Corrections & Sentencing

Individual Presentations

• Foster Care Beyond Placement: Offending Outcomes in Emerging Adulthood - Jennifer Yang, Simon Fraser University; Evan McCuish, Simon Fraser University; Raymond Corrado, Simon Fraser University

• The Impact of Childhood and Adolescent Risk Factors on the Offending Trajectories of Female Offenders During Emerging Adulthood - Kelsey Gushue, Simon Fraser University; Evan McCuish, Simon Fraser University; Jennifer Wong, Simon Fraser University; Raymond Corrado, Simon Fraser University

• Exploring the Relationship between Self-identity and Future Offending among a Sample of Serious and Violent Young Offenders - Kyla Towle, Simon Fraser University; Evan McCuish, Simon Fraser University; Raymond Corrado, Simon Fraser University

• A Time of Transition or Role Affirmation? Gang Members and Offending in Emerging Adulthood - Krysta Dawson, Simon Fraser University; Martin Bouchard, Simon Fraser University; Evan McCuish, Simon Fraser University; Raymond Corrado, Simon Fraser University