Exploring the Link between Truancy and Life-Course Outcomes: Findings from the Rochester Youth Development Survey

• In Event: Rochester Youth Development Study: The Next Generation of Research(ers)

Abstract

Skipping school without a legitimate excuse, otherwise known as truancy, is a behavior associated with long-term negative outcomes. For instance, truancy is related to a higher likelihood of school suspension or dropping out and future involvement with the criminal justice system (e.g., arrest). Theoretically, engaging in truancy stymies human capital accumulation and has the potential to lead to cumulative disadvantage, partly as the result of “knifed off” legitimate opportunities for future success. However, there is minimal research exploring the mechanisms of change explaining the link between truancy and life course outcomes using this perspective. Using longitudinal data from the Rochester Youth Development Study, this research investigates whether engaging in truancy in adolescence is related to involvement in crime over the life course. More specifically, focus will be placed on exploring the mechanisms that can modify or mediate the linkage between truancy and crime over the life-course. Findings have implications for the development and refinement of theoretical explanations of truancy outcomes and to inform interventions to address truancy

Authors

• Stephanie M. Cardwell, The University of Texas at San Antonio

• Megan Bears Augustyn, Florida State University