Examining Trajectories and Risk Factors of Delinquent Behavior among Females from Adolescence to Early Adulthood

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Previous research suggests that social environmental and individual-level factors influence adolescent development and behavior over time. However, little attention has been devoted to examining how risk factors (i.e., parental support, peer delinquency, self-control) affect trajectories of delinquent behavior among female adolescents. Utilizing the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health data and latent class analysis, this study revealed three delinquency trajectories among females from late adolescence to early adulthood: late escalators, late de-escalators, and stable low/abstainers. Next, we assessed the influence of social environmental and individual-level factors during adolescence (Wave 1) on these trajectories. Results identified key differences in the risk factors related to group placement. The implications of the findings for prevention and treatment services targeting adolescent females, and directions for future research, are discussed.

Authors

• Julie M. Krupa, University of Central Florida

• Kristina Childs, University of Central Florida