Exclusionary School Discipline as a Mediator of the Relationship between Temperament and Recidivism

• In Event: School Discipline and the Life Course

Abstract

Prior research has established the relationship between temperament and recidivism, yet the mechanisms that underlie this relationship have yet to be explored. Exclusionary school discipline represents one possible mechanism and has been shown to be related to both recidivism and temperament. The current study expands research on DeLisi & Vaughn’s temperament theory by utilizing data from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice to determine if school exclusion effectively mediates the relationship between temperament and continued delinquency. Results provide evidence of a significant mediation effect, controlling for a host of potential confounding variables. Findings suggest more focus should be placed on schools’ use of expulsion and suspension when disciplining youth. Further research is required to determine whether alternatives to exclusionary discipline can reduce the effect of temperament on continued delinquent behavior.

Authors

• Joshua Aaron Lang, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY

• Kevin Wolff, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY