Through Lens of Longitudinal Research: Examining Victimization, Offending, Justice System Involvement, Desistance, and Life Outcomes

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is advancing a portfolio of expansions and extensions of existing longitudinal research studies that focus on delinquency and crime throughout the life-course of the individual. Investigators are utilizing a holistic approach to the study of adolescent development, and the emergence, persistence, and desistance of delinquent and criminal offending. This panel will focus on three ongoing longitudinal studies: (1) the Northwestern Juvenile Project and the life outcomes for the sample of individuals detained as juveniles; (2) the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development—Social Development Study which examines delinquency and victimization as related to a wide host of variables including cognitive development and substance use; and (3) the Crossroads Study and influences on desistance from crime. This research is intended to identify malleable risk and protective factors, which can be effectively targeted in efforts to prevent the onset of delinquency and to intervene in the lives of juvenile and young adult offenders to catalyze desistance and a productive life course.

Sub Unit

• Area II. Perspectives on Crime / 2. Developmental and Life Course Perspectives

Individual Presentations

• Long-term Consequences of Incarceration on Life-course Achievements: A 16-year Longitudinal Study of Youth in Detention - Linda A. Teplin, Northwestern University; Karen M. Abram, Northwestern University

• The ABCD—Social Development Study: Initial Findings - Lia Ahonen, University of Pittsburgh; Duncan Clark, University of Pittsburgh; Douglas Fitzgerald, University of Pittsburgh; Kaylee Klingensmith, University of Pittsburgh

• Delinquency and Crime from Adolescence Through Young Adulthood: The Crossroads Study - Elizabeth Cauffman, University of California, Irvine; Paul J. Frick, Louisiana State University; Laurence Steinberg, Temple University

Chair

• Barbara Tatem Kelley, National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice

Discussant

• Philip C. O'Donnell, Northwestern University