Institutional stay and offending behavior from ages 16 to 23: the role of personal capital and social ties

• In Event: Environmental, Psychosocial and Neural Factors of Antisocial, Violent and Psychopathic Behaviors

Abstract

The informal social control theory suggests that higher levels of social capital within communities can act as a deterrent to crime. Existing research suggests that low social capital predisposes adolescents to additional interactions with the justice system due to elevated offending behavior. Few studies investigate this bi-directionally, that is, as it remains unknown whether and how involvement with these systems may diminish social capital over time, potentially exacerbating their vulnerability to delinquent behaviors. The current study aims to investigate the potential bidirectional relationship between adolescents' social capital and their interaction with the justice system and treatment facilities, focusing on whether the effects vary depending on their institutional stay at a secure facility versus treatment centers. Data from the Pathways to Desistance study will be used to evaluate these relationships, examining 7 waves of interviews with a sample of 1354 juvenile offenders. Both the service history (e.g., mental health systems) and social capital inventory are utilized to assess their perceived connectedness to the community (e.g., intergenerational closure). Discussion of the findings will be framed within the context of the informal social control theory and social learning theory, providing a comprehensive understanding of adolescent behavior within various settings.

Authors

• Hawi Geleto, Georgia State University

• Frances Chen, Georgia State University