Predicting Maladaptive Behavior in Juvenile Offenders - Research Proposal Example

Running Head: PREDICTING MALADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR Predicting Maladaptive Behavior in Juvenile Offenders of the of the Predicting Maladaptive Behavior in Juvenile Offenders Chapter One: Introduction Statement of the Problem "It takes a village to raise a child," is an old African adage used when referring to rearing children. The phrase can be further explained in the following manner: instead of considering the parents of a child as the sole source of discipline and liable for instilling positive attributes, the community is just as responsible in raising the child (Tonry and Anthony, 2004; Schlossman, 2005). This is especially true when parents are away from home without ensuring that the child is properly monitored and maintained. Unfortunately, due to neglect, demographic and pathological concerns, the number of adolescents present in juvenile detention institutions is almost equivalent to the number of young adults enrolled in college and technical preparatory schools (Puzzanchera & Sickmund, 2008). According to behavioral scientists (Forth & Mailloux, 2000), few theorists have been able to identify the causation of juvenile recidivism and many have failed to examine the social milieu, parenting styles of their families, and the pathological potential of criminal behavior during adolescence. Behavioral scientists do not understand the pathological or demographic characteristics and how they come together to provide reliable predictors of recidivism (Forth & Mailloux. 2000). Approximately 47% of all youth commit delinquent and criminal acts (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1996). However, one of the most reliable and important references is self-report data, which according to a 1997 edition of the National Crime Reference Service surveyed over 2500 high school students who reported theft under fifty dollars; Twenty percent of the aforementioned number participated in violent acts, which included gang fights, causing bodily injury to another individual, and usage of weapons. The topic of predicting recidivism in juveniles is paramount to society, however, there has not been a lot of reliable research on the subject, and the information that is currently available is somewhat scarce and rapidly outdating (Griffin, 2005). Due to new trends in society such as the types of music available, younger parents, more career-oriented parents, the availability of illicit substances and prevalence of sexual situations in the media and prime time television, children are encouraged to grow up more rapidly than ever before expected. Unfortunately, these inclinations are destroying youth and forcing the courts to punish them as adults for their participation in crimes and maladaptive behaviors (Van Velsen, 2001; Griffin, 2005). The demographics in which the subjects were raised will be explored for adverse influences, which may have led them to criminal activity. The family origin will be examined to determine whether parenting styles might have influenced the subjects to turn to criminal behavior. Pathological conditions of the subjects will be explored to determine the impact of such conditions upon the propensity for criminal behaviors. The gender, race, sexual orientation, sexuality, and deformities of the subjects will be examined to determine whether these characteristics might have influenced the subjects to enter into criminal behavior. Criminal Justice Professionals, social workers, and public administrators must regroup and strategize, so that they can work together and offer more influential rehabilitative options and alternative assessment tools in order to predict the possibility of a juvenile recidivating or committing an act of violence. Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study is to determine how a sample of incarcerated youth would score on a violence predictor assessment instrument, which is designed to predict recidivism and/or maladaptive behavior. This study is an attempt to determine if there are pathological or demographic indicators that can assist in identifying therapeutic prevention options. The information would then be used in an attempt to cease or at least alert the appropriate beings with emphasis placed on prevention of travesties reoccurring. Research Question This study will focus on following research question: Q. Are there pathological or demographic indicators that can assist in identifying recidivism and/or maladaptive behavior? Hypotheses H1: Pathological indicators will predict juvenile and mal-adaptive behavior. H2: Demographic indicators will predict juvenile and mal-adaptive behavior. Justification of the Study There are several reasons to conduct and to perform a study such as this. First, it is important that efforts be more strenuously directed at the early identification of violence in order to prevent pathological behavior. Also, it is important to know what environmental and personal influences will lead to problems of unhealthy childhood development and at what stage they occur. It is important determine if nature or nurture plays a significant role in childhood development and what can be manipulated to change or prevent illicit behavior before it becomes unmanageable. According to Edens, Skeem, Cruise, and Cauffman, (2001), there are many factors that play an important role in the behavior that a person exhibits, and there is no doubt that during childhood under parental care, all subsequent behavioral tendencies will develop. Edens et al. (2000) contended that there was an appalling level of violence, abuse, and neglect in the backgrounds of some of the most notorious murderers, and as children, the level of violence they were exposed to occurred so frequently that it ceased to be viewed as abnormal behavior. This is evidence that parental involvement and intervention strategy is paramount and must begin early in a subjects life. It is important to be able to correctly identify disturbing behavioral patterns. The ability to correctly identify behavioral patterns would rely heavily on the caregivers of the subject. A cause for concern would be if the subject had killed animals, has a preoccupation with illicit sexual acts, has an adjustment disorder, mental instability or performs poorly in school. If the subject fixates on death, is a social misfit, and is withdrawn from others, immediate counseling may be necessary (Nagin, 1992). The above mentioned behaviors are used to determine pathological predictors early during developmental stages of youth. Focus is placed on pathological and demographic predictors of recidivism in juvenile offenders because most research and information available is based on adults instead of adolescents. It is important to identify and understand the indicators of pathological behaviors in juvenile offenders because it will help to curtail such behaviors and problems the subject may display later on in adulthood (Quinsey, 1995). Unfortunately, the laws are changing and juvenile offenders are being tried and convicted as adults if the crime is severe enough due to historical demographics and upbringing (Quinsey, 1995). With advanced technology, forensic breakthroughs, and increased offenses committed by juveniles, more studies are being conducted and more assessment tools are being utilized to predict maladaptive behavior in juvenile offenders. Limitations of the Study The results of this study are specific to juvenile offenders. The data will not be generalizable to other populations due to Child welfare wardship stipulations varying from one state to the next. It is expected that many subjects will lack cooperation at times due to the topic and nature of the study. Some subjects may have conditioned or rehearsed responses, which may in turn, alter the study. Subjects lack of understanding the intent of the interview may pose a problem during and upon completion of the study. For example, if currently incarcerated, the subject may believe that the interview is a means to prove his innocence of the crime of which he is accused. Definition of Terms Adjustment Disorders- the development of emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Bipolar Disorder- manic-depressive mood disorder in which clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning are present. Corrections- the treatment of offenders through a program involving penal custody, parole, and probation (Merriam-Webster, 2003). Drug induced psychosis- prominent psychotic symptomology (hallucinations, paranoia, delusions) as a result of substance abuse (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Forensics- belonging to, used in, or suitable to courts of judicature or to public discussion and debate (Merriam-Webster, 2003). Maladaptive Behavior- behavior that is marked by poor or inadequate adjustment to ones desires and the conditions of ones life (Merriam-Webster, 2003). Pathological- the deviation from an assumed normal state of something nonliving or nonmaterial (Merriam-Webster, 2003). Pornography- the depiction of erotic behavior intended to cause sexual excitement (Merriam-Webster, 2003). Psychotic- delusions or prominent hallucinations, with the hallucinations occurring in the absence of insight into pathological nature (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Recidivism- a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior (Merriam-Webster, 2003). Schizophrenia- a psychotic disorder characterized by loss of contact with environment and by disintegration of personality (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Significance of the Study This study is significant in that predicting delinquency is valuable for understanding the factors associated with the course of antisocial behavior in youth for general research purposes. The study will also be useful in incorporating various institutions such as correctional facilities and Juvenile Justice organizations in developing approaches to deal with this rising epidemic. Improvements in understanding the development of delinquent careers will help rehabilitate efforts to focus more effectively on preventive approaches. Juvenile courts are plagued with the problem of trying to deal with large numbers of youth who exhibit varying degrees of antisocial behavior in their families, schools, and community. Thus, this research will allow for evaluations of the effectiveness of rehabilitative services provided by the Juvenile Justice System by addressing these problems and deterring delinquent behavior. This study also provides an encouraging evaluation of an underserved population by allowing advanced-trained researchers, faculty, and students to gain further insight and interest into the severity of juvenile recidivism. In doing so, more attention is placed on the subject matter, which ultimately forces legislators to consider providing funding to institutions and various other organizations in an effort to control juvenile deviance. There is currently a significant demand for risk assessment, and there will likely be an increased demand in the future due to so few studies on this subject matter being available. This study also provides guidelines for better risk communication for mental health professionals who have conducted risk assessments and must communicate their findings as well as a favorable impact of good risk communication of better-informed legal decision-making (Heilbrun, 1999). A focus on the outlook and potential for successful completion of the study from the researchers perspective is also significant to this study. It will entail the researcher having enough information and data to complete the research, and the researcher having an appropriate amount of quantitative data. Other important outcomes as a result of this study are listed below. Assist individuals in identifying how poor parenting skills adversely affect a childs behavior in later years. Once a childs behavioral issues have been identified, appropriate mechanisms for treatment can be put into place such as individual counseling or group therapy if necessary. This study will educate the public and increase their knowledge of detecting maladaptive behavior. This study will allow others to have a better understanding ofthe subjects who committed the crimes from a more neutral and personal standpoint. Social workers would benefit from being able to use rehabilitative services efficiently by targeting the highest risk youth at the earliest point at which they enter the juvenile system. This may enhance the efficacy of their services and could make a major impact on reducing the recidivism rate. Parents/caregivers will be forced to pay more attention to indicators of violence and will be able to identify various negative influences which could possibly lead to maladaptive behavior. This project will identify how findings will influence and benefit various fields both directly and indirectly related to the forensic arena. Juvenile justice systems would benefit from being able to make more informed dispositions with the knowledge of which offenders are more likely to return to court in the future. References American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4thed, text rev. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Assocation. Edens, J. F., Skeem, J. L., Cruise, K. R., & Cauffman, E. (2001). Assessment of ``juvenile psychopathy and its association with violence: A critical review. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 19, 53-80. doi: 10.1002/bsl.425 Forth, A. E. & Mailloux, D. L. (2000). Psychopathy in youth: What do we know? In C. Gacono (Ed.). The clinical and forensic assessment of psychopathy (pp. 25-54). Mahweh, NJ: LEA. Griffin, P. (2005). National overviews. Pittsburgh, PA: National Center for Juvenile Justice. Heilbrun, K. (1999, February 15). Basic and advanced issues in risk assessment: Approaches, populations, communications, and decision-making. Paper presented for Department of Public Welfare, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Merriam-Webster. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary (11th ed.). Springfield, MA: Author. Nagin, Daniel S. 1998.Criminal Deterrence Research at the Outset of the Twenty First Century. In Crime and Justice: A Review of Research, edited by Michael Tonry (vol. 23, 1-42). Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Puzzanchera, C. , & Sickmund, M. (2008). Juvenile court statistics 2005. Pittsburgh, PA: National Center for Juvenile Justice. Quinsey, V. L. (1995). The prediction and explanation of criminal violence. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 18(2), 117−127. Schlossman, Steven L. (2005). Transforming Juvenile Justice: Reform Ideals and Institutional Realities, 1825–1920. DeKalb: Northern Illinois University Press. Tonry, Michael, ed. , and Anthony N. Doob, eds. (2004). Youth Crime and Youth Justice: Comparative and Cross-National Perspectives. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Van Velsen (2001), Delinquency, juvenile offending and personality disorder, Criminal Behavior and Mental Health, 11, S1-S5. Read More