The ABCD—Social Development Study: Initial Findings

• In Event: Through Lens of Longitudinal Research: Examining Victimization, Offending, Justice System Involvement, Desistance, and Life Outcomes

Abstract

The ABCD—Social Development Study (ABCD-SD) is a prospective longitudinal investigation of delinquency and victimization funded by the National Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control. The study is an add-on to the unique nationwide Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study which includes a focus on substance use. The ABCD-SD includes baseline data from 2,426 children (average age 11.77 at baseline), from 5 of the 21 sites of the ABCD Study. A fourth year of data is now being collected, and a fifth wave will start in the Fall of 2022. The aim of the ABCD-SD is to address key questions in criminological and substance use research which currently cannot be addressed in other longitudinal studies. One of the advantages of the ABCD-SD is the planned linkage of delinquency and victimization data collection to the main ABCD Study, including measurement of substance use and biannual MRI scans of the participants’ brain development. A description of the study sample, and the prevalence and frequency of delinquency and victimization will be presented along with discussion on how data can be used to address social justice topics.

Authors

• Lia Ahonen, University of Pittsburgh

• Duncan Clark, University of Pittsburgh

• Douglas Fitzgerald, University of Pittsburgh

• Kaylee Klingensmith, University of Pittsburgh