Housing Instability in Childhood Delinquency: A Longitudinal Analysis

• In Event: Lightning Talk: New Frontiers of Research on Housing Instability, Homelessness, and Criminal Justice Systems

Abstract

Experiences of housing instability in childhood may affect a child’s long-term development similar to other forms of adversity, but limited research has examined whether and how housing instability is associated with delinquency and justice system contact in adolescence. The purpose of this project is to examine the relationship between childhood housing instability and delinquency in adolescence, as well as examine how housing instability may function in its association with delinquency as compared to other forms of childhood adversity. Using data from the LONGSCAN study and path analyses, findings suggest housing insecurity may be an important contributor to later delinquency and justice system contact, and should be included where possible in discussions of juvenile justice system involvement in adolescence.

Author

• Abigail S. Novak, University of Mississippi