The goal of the current study was to investigate the relationships between observer-rated skills related to emotional and cognitive regulation post-admission and pre-release in a secure facility and official records of juvenile felony recidivism up to 1 year after release. Data came from a sample of 599 youth in a residential facility in Washington state (84% male; 38% White). Latent change score models indicated that both initial level of emotional regulation skills and improvement in emotion regulation skills while incarcerated were significantly related to lower recidivism. This pattern of findings remained when controlling for length of stay, among other covariates. Follow-up analyses indicated that the results for emotion regulation skills might be driven primarily by monitoring internal and external triggers. Additional research should investigate the connection between emotion regulation skills and juvenile recidivism, with a special focus on trigger monitoring and how to improve those skills.
AizerA.DoyleJ. J.Jr. (2013). Juvenile incarceration, human capital and future crime: Evidence from randomly-assigned judges. National Bureau of Economic Research, working paper 19102. http://nber.org/papers/w19102
2.
BaglivioM. T.WolffK. T. (2019). Predicting juvenile reentry success: Developing a global risk score and risk classification levels using the residential positive achievement change Tool. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 17(3), 241–268. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541204018804870
3.
BaglivioM. T.WolffK. T.DeLisiM.VaughnM. G.PiqueroA. R. (2016). Effortful control, negative emotionality, and juvenile recidivism: An empirical test of DeLisi and Vaughn’s temperament-based theory of antisocial behavior. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 27(3), 376–403. https://doi.org/10.1080/14789949.2016.1145720
BrazãoN.RijoD.SalvadorM. D. C.Pinto-GouveiaJ. (2018). Promoting emotion and behavior regulation in male prison inmates: A secondary data analysis from a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of the Growing Pro-Social Program. Law and Human Behavior, 42(1), 57–70. https://doi.org/10.1037/lhb0000267
6.
BurtC. H.SimonsR. L.SimonsL. G. (2006). A longitudinal test of the effects of parenting and the stability of self-control: Negative evidence for the general theory of crime. Criminology, 44(2), 353–396. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9125.2006.00052.x
7.
CarverC. S.ScheierM. F., (2010). Self-regulation of affect and action. In VohsK. D.BaumeisterR. F. (Eds.), Handbook of self-regulation: Research, theory, and applications (pp. 3–23). New York: The Gilford Press.
8.
CauffmanE.SteinbergL.PiqueroA. R. (2005). Psychological, neuropsychological and physiological correlates of serious antisocial behavior in adolescence: The role of self-control. Criminology, 43(1), 133–176. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0011-1348.2005.00005.x
9.
CottleC. C.LeeR. J.HeilbrunK. (2001). The prediction of criminal recidivism in juveniles. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 28(3), 367–394. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854801028003005
10.
CuevasC.WolffK. T.BaglivioM. T. (2019). Dynamic risk factors and timing of recidivism for youth in residential placement. Journal of Criminal Justice, 60, 154–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crimjus.2018.10.003
11.
DeLisiM.VaughnM. G. (2014). Foundation for a temperament-based theory of antisocial behavior and criminal justice system involvement. Journal of Criminal Justice, 42(1), 10–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2013.11.001
12.
DennyB. T. (2020). Getting better over time: A framework for examining the impact of emotion regulation training. Emotion, 20(1), 110–114. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000641
13.
DmitrievaJ.MonahanK. C.CauffmanE.SteinbergL. (2012). Arrested development: The effects of incarceration on the development of psychosocial maturity. Development and Pyschopathology, 24, 1073–1090. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579412000545
14.
EisenbergN.SmithC. L.SadovskyA.SpinradT. L. (2004). Effortful control: Relations with emotion regulation, adjustment, and socialization in childhood. In BaumeisterR. F.VohsK. D. (Eds.), Handbook of self-regulation: Research, theory, and applications (pp. 259–282). New York: Guilford Press.
15.
FordJ. D.BlausteinM. E. (2013). Systemic self-regulation: A framework for trauma-informed services in residential juvenile justice programs. Journal of Family Violence, 28, 665–677. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-013-9538-5
16.
GarofaloC.GillespieS. M.VelottiP. (2019). Emotion regulation mediates relationships between mindfulness facets and aggression dimensions. Aggressive Behavior, 46, 60–71. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21868
17.
GarofaloC.HoldenC. J.Zeigler-HillV., & VelottiP. (2016). Understanding the connection between self-esteem and aggression: The mediating role of emotion dysregulation. Aggressive Behavior, 42(1), 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21601
18.
GarofaloC.VelottiP.ZavattiniG. C. (2018). Emotion regulation and aggression: The incremental contribution of alexithymia, impulsivity, and emotion dysregulation facets. Psychology of Violence, 8(4), 470–483. https://doi.org/10.1037/vio0000141
19.
GottfredsonM. R.HirschiT. (1990). A general theory of crime. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
HayC.WiddowsonA. O.BatesM.BaglivioM. T.JackowskiK.GreenwaldM. A. (2016). Predicting recidivism among released juvenile offenders in Florida: An evaluation of the Residential Positive Achievement Change Tool. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 16(1), 97–116. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541204016660161
23.
HayC.WiddowsonA.YoungB. C. (2018). Self-control stability and change for incarcerated juvenile offenders. Journal of Criminal Justice, 56, 50–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2017.08.008
24.
HigginsG. E.JenningsW. G.TewksburyR.GibsonC. L. (2009). Exploring the link between low self-control and violent victimization trajectories in adolescents. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 36, 1070–1084. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854809344046
25.
HirschiT.GottfredsonM. R. (1994). The generality of deviance. Routledge.
26.
KievitR. A.BrandmaierA. M.ZieglerG.Van HarmelenA. L.de MooijS. M. M.MoutoussisM.GoodeyerI. M.BullmoreE.JonesP. B.FonagyP.LundenbergerU.DolanR. J. (2018). Developmental cognitive neuroscience using latent change score models: A tutorial and applications. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 33, 99–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcn.2017.11.007
27.
LairdR. (2021). Regional international juvenile incarceration models as a blueprint for rehabilitative reform of juvenile criminal justice systems in the United States. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 111(2), 571–603. https://www.jstor.org/stable-48614947
28.
LambieI., & RandellI. (2013). The impact of incarceration on juvenile offenders. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(3), 448–459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2013.01.007
29.
LongK.FeltonJ. W.LilienfeldS. O., & LejuezC. W. (2014). The role of emotion regulation in the relations between psychopathy factors and impulsive and premeditated aggression. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 5(4), 390–396. https://content.apa.org/doi/10.1037/per0000085
30.
MamayekC.PaternosterR.LoughranT. A. (2017). Self-control as self-regulation: A return to control theory. Deviant Behavior, 38(8), 895–916. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2016.1206730
31.
McArdleJ. J., & GrimmK. J. (2010). Five steps in latent curve and latent change score modeling with longitudinal data. In van MontfortK.OudJ., & SatorraA. (Eds.), Longitudinal research with latent variables (pp. 245–273). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11760-2_8
32.
McCannR. A.IvanoffA.SchmidtH.BeachB. (2007). Implementing dialectical behavior therapy in residential forensic settings with adults and juveniles. In DimeffL. A.KoernerK. (Eds.), Dialectical Behavior Therapy in clinical practice: Applications across disorders and settings. New York: Guilford Press.
33.
MoilanenK. L.RaffaelliM. (2005). Parenting and self-regulation in adolescence: Associations with adolescent behavior. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
34.
MonahanK. C.SteinbergL.CauffmanE.MulveyE. P. (2009). Trajectories of antisocial behavior and psychosocial maturity from adolescence to young adulthood. Developmental Psychology, 45(6), 1654–1668. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0015862
35.
MulderE.BrandE.BullensR.van MarleH. (2011). Risk factors for overall recidivism and severity of recidivism in serious juvenile offenders. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 55(1), 118–135. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X09356683
36.
MuthénL. K.MuthénB. O. (1998-2017). Mplus user’s guide (8th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Muthén & Muthén.
PihetS.CombremontM.SuterM.StephanP. (2011). Cognitive and emotional deficits associated with minor and serious delinquency in high-risk adolescents. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 19(3), 427–438. https://doi.org/10.1080/13218719.2011.598634
39.
PiqueroA. R.JenningsW. G.FarringtonD. P. (2010). On the malleability of self-control: Theoretical and policy implications regarding a general theory of crime. Justice Quarterly, 27(6), 803–834. https://doi.org/10.1080/07418820903379628
40.
PrattT. C.CullenF. T. (2000). The empirical status of Gottfredson and Hirschi's general theory of crime: A meta-analysis. Criminology, 38(3), 931–964. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9125.2000.tb00911.x
41.
QuinnA.SheraW. (2009). Evidence-based practice in group work with incarcerated youth. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 32, 288–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jilp.2009.06.002
42.
RayJ. V.JonesS.LoughranT. A.JenningsW. G. (2013). Testing the stability of self-control: Identifying unique developmental patterns and associated risk factors. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 40(6), 588–607. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854812464222
43.
RayJ. V.ThorntonL. C.FrickP. J.SteinbergL.CauffmanE. (2016). Impulse control and callous-unemotional traits distinguish patterns of delinquency and substance use in justice involved adolescents: Examining the moderating role of neighborhood context. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 44(3), 599–611. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-015-0057-0
44.
RomaineC. L. R. (2019). Psychosocial maturity and risk-taking in emerging adults: Extending our understanding beyond delinquency. Emerging Adulthood, 7(4), 243–257. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167696818768013
SeigleE.WalshN.WeberJ. (2014). Core principles for reducing recidivism and improving other outcomes for youth in the juvenile justice system.New York: Council of State Governments Justice Center.
47.
SheltonD.KestenK.ZhangW.TrestmanR. (2011). Impact of a Dialectic Behavior Therapy-Corrections Modified (DBT-CM) upon behaviorally challenged incarcerated male Adolescents. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 24, 105–113. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6171.2011-00275.x
48.
StataCorp (2019). Stata statistical software: Release 16. College Station, TX: StataCorp LLC.
49.
SteinbergL. (2010). A dual systems model of adolescent risk-taking. Developmental Psychobiology, 52, 216–224. https://doi.org/10.1002/dev.20445
50.
SteinbergL.CauffmanE. (1996). Maturity of judgment in adolescence: Psychosocial factors in adolescent decision making. Law and Human Behavior, 20(3), 249–272. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01499023
51.
TangneyJ. P.DobbinsA. E.StuewigJ. B.SchraderS. W. (2017). Is there a dark side to mindfulness? Relation of mindfulness to criminogenic cognitions. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 43(1), 1415–1426. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167217717243
52.
TomlinsonM. F. (2018). A theoretical and empirical review of dialectical behavior therapy within forensic psychiatric and correctional settings worldwide. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 17(1), 7295. https://doi.org/10.1080/14999013.2017.1416003
53.
TripodiS. J.KimJ. S.BenderK. (2010). Is employment associated with reduced recidivism?International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 54, 706–720. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X09342980
54.
TuY.-K.GunnellD.GilthorpeM. S. (2008). Simpson’s paradox, Lord’s paradox, and suppression effects are the same phenomenon – the reversal paradox. Emerging Themes in Epidemiology, 5(2), 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-7622-5-2
55.
van DamC.JanssensM. A. M.De BruynE. E. J. (2005). PEN, Big Five, juvenile delinquency and criminal recidivism. Personality and Individual Differences, 39(1), 7–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2004.06.016
56.
VazsonyiA. T.MikuškaJ.KelleyE. L. (2017). It’s time: A meta-analysis on the self-control-deviance link. Journal of Criminal Justice, 48, 48–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2016.10.001
57.
WaldenA. L.StancilN.VeronaE. (2019). Reaching underserved youth: A pilot implementation of a skills-based intervention in short-term juvenile detention. Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, 47, 90–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/10852352.2019.1582147
58.
WalkerS. (2016). (2008-2015) Therapeutic change, length of stay, and recidivism in incarcerated juvenile offenders in Washington State, 2008-2015. (ICPSR 36226, Version V1) [Data set]. ICPSR. https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR36226.v1
59.
WalkerS. C.BishopA. S. (2016). Length of stay, therapeutic change, and recidivism for incarcerated juvenile offenders. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 55(6), 355–376. https://doi.org/10.1080/10509674.2016.1194946
60.
Winokur-EarlyK.HandG. A.BlankenshipJ. L. (2012). Validity and reliability of the Florida Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT) risk and needs assessment instrument: A three-phase evaluation (validation study, factor analysis, inter-rater reliability). Tallahassee, FL: Justice Research Center.
