Criminal conduct subgroups of “aging out” foster youth

Criminal conduct subgroups of “aging out” foster youth

Subgroups of adolescents drawn from the Midwest Study of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth were identified on the basis of cluster analysis of self-reported criminal behavior: Cluster 1: No Criminal Activity (n=204), Cluster 2: Moderate Criminal Conduct (n=300), Cluster 3: Extensive Crimi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Children and youth services review Vol. 48; pp. 14 - 19
Main Authors: McMahon, Robert C., Fields, Samantha A.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2015
Subjects:
Adolescents
Aging
Aging out
Caregivers
Criminal subgroups
Discrimination
Foster youth
Intervention
Juvenile Delinquency
Males
Placement experiences
Psychiatric diagnoses
Sex
Social bonds
Youth
Foster youth
Psychiatric diagnoses
Aging out
Placement experiences
Social bonds
Criminal subgroups
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Summary:Subgroups of adolescents drawn from the Midwest Study of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth were identified on the basis of cluster analysis of self-reported criminal behavior: Cluster 1: No Criminal Activity (n=204), Cluster 2: Moderate Criminal Conduct (n=300), Cluster 3: Extensive Criminal Involvement (n=87), and Cluster 4: Group Fighting (n=139). Logistic regression analysis revealed higher proportions of foster youth with alcohol and drug diagnoses, male gender, out of school status, and limited caregiver closeness in each of the groups in which there was evidence of significant criminal conduct (Clusters 2, 3, & 4) in comparison to the no criminal activity group (Cluster 1). The same variables contributed to discrimination between the cluster subgroup with the most serious and pervasive pattern of criminal conduct (Cluster 3) and the two with less extensive criminal involvement (Clusters 2 & 4). Current findings and those of G. R. Cusick, M. E. Courtney, J. Havlicek & N. Hess (2010), help in identifying the differing needs of youth aging out of the child welfare system and should be useful in informing development of targeted interventions. •Many foster youth engage in criminal activity including physically harmful interactions during the period of transition to adulthood•Males with alcohol and drug problems, limited school involvement, and lack of closeness to caregivers are among the most serious offenders•Drug treatment and school engagement in extended foster care could address important risk factors for serious criminal behavior
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ISSN:0190-7409
1873-7765
DOI:10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.11.010