Youth in Need: Changes in Risk and Protective Factors During Probation

• In Event: The Role of Risk and Protective Factors in Juvenile Justice

Abstract

Research Problem: Community supervision risk assessments at intake tend to receive greater attention than subsequent assessments. Additional examination of the relationships between changes in risk and protective factors during supervision, the services received, and recidivism is needed.
Study Design: Youth on probation (n = 6,997) responded to the Youth Assessment Screening Instrument at both intake and exit. Multivariate analyses were used to examine changes in risk and protective factors, the association between services (e.g., monitoring, assessment, treatment) and these changes, and their relationship with rearrest and reconviction. Findings: Monitoring services were associated with a decrease in some risk factors (i.e., family, substance use, employment). Assessments were related to increases in protective factors, and treatment was associated with reduced risk factors. In terms of recidivism, increases in protective factors (i.e., aggression, skills, and school) were associated with lower odds of recidivism. Treatment services decreased both the odds of rearrest and reconviction. Restitution decreased the odds of being reconvicted. Monitoring services increased the odds of being arrested. Conclusion: Risk and protective factors changed over the course of supervision. The relationships between service types and risk and protective factors varied. Examination of risk and protective factors could increase responsivity and reduce recidivism.

Authors

• Daniel Michael Applegarth, University at Buffalo, SUNY

• JoAnn Lee, University at Buffalo, SUNY