Criminal conduct subgroups of “aging out” foster youth

• 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
• ISSN: 0190-7409; 1873-7765
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.11.010

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