How Prosocial Relationships Facilitate Employment for Young People Transitioning Out of Juvenile Justice Facilities

• In Event: Roundtable: Juvenile Justice

Abstract

The crime desistance literature identifies employment as a vital turning point away from an offender’s lifestyle. Although numerous studies are dedicated to employment outcomes of individuals transitioning out of adult prisons, the journey of economic reintegration of young adults released from juvenile justice residential facilities has received less research attention. Foregrounding the life context of emerging adults (aged 18–21 years) under juvenile justice community supervision, this longitudinal study examined the direct and indirect effects of prosocial relationships on their employment after release. Using three waves of longitudinal data, a mediation analysis was conducted using a bootstrapping technique. Prosocial relationships were found to predict the subsequent increase in social skills and life aspirations among justice-impacted young adults (JIYA), which, in turn, increased the likelihood of future employment outcomes. Furthermore, the effect of prosocial relationships on employment was completely mediated by social skills and life aspirations. These findings suggest a vital role of different prosocial circles for JIYA in their journey of reintegration, financial independence, and successful transition into adulthood.

Authors

• Lin Liu, University of Florida

• Michael Baglivio, Youth Opportunity