Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Labeling and High-Risk Youth: the Influence of Arrest on Family Support

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Scholarship has consistently examined the relationship between criminal justice contact and offending among youth; within this, a growing body of research has also begun to examine the collateral consequences of juvenile justice contact on longer-term outcomes such as educational attainment, employment, and mental health. The goal of this study is to examine how early and repeated juvenile arrest relates to changes in family relationships across time. Through the lenses of life-course and labeling theory, analysis of 11 waves of data from the Pathways to Desistance project (a multisite U.S study) demonstrates that neither age at first arrest nor frequency of subsequent arrest significantly relates to changes in family support across time. However, self-reported offending was strongly related to decreased levels of family support across time. Findings highlight that the “label” of arrest does not necessarily contribute to deleterious family outcomes among “high risk” youth.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abrams, L. S., & Snyder, S. M. (2010). Youth offender reentry: Models for intervention anddirections for future inquiry. Children and Youth Services Review, 32(12), 1787–1795.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allison, P. D. (1991). Logistic regression using the SAS system: Theory and application. SAS Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arditti, J. A., Lambert-Shute, J., & Joest, K. (2003). Saturday morning at the jail: Implications ofincarceration for families and children. Family Relations, 52(3), 195–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bengtson, V. L., & Allen, K. R. (2009). The life course perspective applied to families over time.In Sourcebook of family theories and methods (pp. 469–504). Springer, Boston, MA.

  • Berg, M. T., & Huebner, B. M. (2011). Reentry and the ties that bind: An examination of socialties, employment, and recidivism. Justice Quarterly, 28, 382–410.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Besemer, S. (2014). The impact of timing and frequency of parental criminal behavior and risk factors on offspring offending. Psychology, Crime & Law, 20, 78–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonta, J., & Andrews, D. A. (2007). Risk-need-responsivity model for offender assessment and rehabilitation. Rehabilitation, 6(1), 1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby, J. (1944). Forty-four juvenile thieves: Their characters and home life. International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 25, 107–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broman, C. L., Li, X., & Reckase, M. (2008). Family structure and mediators of adolescent drug use. Journal of Family Issues, 29(12), 1625–1649.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cabrera, N., Fitzgerald, H. E., Bradley, R. H., & Roggman, L. (2007). Modeling the dynamics of paternal influences on children over the life course. Applied Development Science, 11(4), 185–189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calley, N. G. (2012). Juvenile offender recidivism: An examination of risk factors. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 21(3), 257–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carney, M. M., & Buttell, F. (2003). Reducing juvenile recidivism: Evaluating the wraparound services model. Research on Social Work Practice, 13(5), 551–568.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cavanagh, S. E., & Huston, A. C. (2008). The timing of family instability and children’s social development. Journal of Marriage and Family, 70, 1258–1270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Comfort, M. (2009). Doing time together: Love and family in the shadow of the prison. University of Chicago Press.

  • Condry, R., & Minson, S. (2020). Conceptualizing the effects of imprisonment on families:Collateral consequences, secondary punishment, or symbiotic harms? TheoreticalCriminology.

  • Conger, R. D., Conger, K. J., & Martin, M. J. (2010). Socioeconomic status, family processes, and individual development. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(3), 685–704.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crosnoe, R., & Cavanagh, S. E. (2010). Families with children and adolescents: A review, critique, and future agenda. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(3), 594–611.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elder, G. H. (Ed.). (1985). Life course dynamics: Trajectories and transitions, 1968–1980. Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elder Jr, G. H. (1994). Time, human agency, and social change: Perspectives on the lifecourse. Social Psychology Quarterly, 4–15.

  • Elder, G. H., Johnson, M. K., & Crosnoe, R. (2003). The emergence and development of life course theory. In Handbook of the life course (3–19). Springer, Boston, MA.

  • Forth, A. E., Kosson, D. S., & Hare, R. D. (2003). Hare psychopathy checklist: Youth version. Multi-Health Systems.

  • Gaston, S. (2016). The long-term effects of parental incarceration: Does parental incarceration in childhood or adolescence predict depressive symptoms in adulthood? Criminal Justice and Behavior, 43, 1056–1075.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gault-Sherman, M. (2012). It’s a two-way street: The bidirectional relationship between parenting and delinquency. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 41(2), 121–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gelman, A., & Hill, J. (2006). Data analysis using regression and multilevel/hierarchical models. Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Goffman, E. (1963). Stigma: Notes on the management of spoiled identity. Penguin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hareven, T. K., & Masaoka, K. (1988). Turning points and transitions: Perceptions of the life course. Journal of Family History, 13(1), 271–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hirschfield, P. (2008). The declining significance of delinquent labels in disadvantaged urban communities. Sociological Forum, 23(3), 575–601.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hirschi, T. (1969). Causes of delinquency. University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollingshead, A. B. (1957). Two factor index of social position.

  • Huizinga, D., Esbensen, F. A., & Weiher, A. W. (1991). Are there multiple paths to delinquency? Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 82, 83–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, W. L., Giordano, P. C., Manning, W. D., & Longmore, M. A. (2011). Parent-child relations and offending during young adulthood. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40, 786–799.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, K., & Reisig, M. D. (2019). Legal socialization and self-reported criminal offending: The role of procedural justice and legal orientations. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 35(1), 135–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirk, D. S., & Wakefield, S. (2018). Collateral consequences of punishment: A critical review and path forward. Annual Review of Criminology, 1, 171–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krohn, M. D., Larroulet, P., Thornberry, T. P., & Loughran, T. A. (2019). The effect of childhood conduct problems on early onset substance use: An examination of the mediating and moderating roles of parenting styles. Journal of Drug Issues, 49(1), 139 162.

  • Kupchik, A. (2016). The real school safety problem: The long-term consequences of harsh school punishment. Univ of California Press.

  • Lanctôt, N., Cernkovich, S. A., & Giordano, P. C. (2007). Delinquent behavior, official delinquency, and gender: Consequences for adulthood functioning and well being. Criminology, 45(1), 131–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laub, J. H., & Sampson, R. J. (1993). Turning points in the life course: Why change matters to the study of crime. Criminology, 31(3), 301–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, H., Wildeman, C., Wang, E. A., Matusko, N., & Jackson, J. S. (2014). A heavy burden: The cardiovascular health consequences of having a family member incarcerated. American Journal of Public Health, 104(3), 421–427.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lemert, E. M. (1951). Social pathology; A systematic approach to the theory of sociopathic behavior. McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liberman, A. M., Kirk, D. S., & Kim, K. (2014). Labeling effects of first juvenile arrests: Secondary deviance and secondary sanctioning. Criminology, 52(3), 345–370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Link, B. (1982). Mental patient status, work, and income: An examination of the effects of a psychiatric label. American Sociological Review, 202–215.

  • Lopoo, L. M., & Western, B. (2005). Incarceration and the formation and stability of marital unions. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67(3), 721–734.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matsueda, R. L. (1992). Reflected appraisals, parental labeling, and delinquency: Specifying a symbolic interactionist theory. American Journal of Sociology, 97(6), 1577–1611.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Massoglia, M., Remster, B., & King, R. D. (2011). Stigma or separation? Understanding the Incarceration-Divorce Relationship. Social Forces, 90(1), 133–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazerolle, P., & McGee, T. R. (2018). Desistance across the life course: Editorial introduction. Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology, 4(4), 365–368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mowen, T. J., & Boman, J. H., IV. (2020). (Re) Recognizing the multidimensional roles of family and peers on crime. Sociology Compass, 14(3), e12762.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mowen, T. J., Brent, J. J., & Boman IV, J. H. (2019). The effect of school discipline on offending across time. Justice Quarterly, 1–22.

  • Mowen, T. J., & Visher, C. A. (2016). Changing the ties that bind: How incarceration impacts family relationships. Criminology & Public Policy, 15(2), 503–528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mulvey, E. P., Steinberg, L., Fagan, J., Cauffman, E., Piquero, A. R., Chassin, L., ... & Losoya, S. H. (2004). Theory and research on desistance from antisocial activity among serious adolescent offenders. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 2(3), 213-236

  • Nakkula, M. J., Way, N., Stauber, H. Y., & London, P. (1990). Teenage risk prevention questionnaire and interview: An integrative assessment of adolescent high-risk behavior. Rutgers University, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Natsuaki, M. N., Ge, X., & Wenk, E. (2008). Continuity and changes in the developmental trajectories of criminal career: Examining the roles of timing of first arrest and high school graduation. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 37(4), 431–444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. (2021). Estimated number of juvenile arrests, 2019. https://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/crime/qa05101.asp?qaDate=2019

  • Phillips J, & Springer, F. (1992). Extended National Youth Sports Program 1991–92 evaluation highlights, part two: Individual Protective Factors Index (IPFI) and risk assessment study. Report prepared for the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Sacramento, CA: EMT Associates Research, 7(2), 156–176.

  • Rabe-Hesketh, S., & Skrondal, A. (2008). Multilevel and longitudinal modeling using Stata. STATA press.

  • Rodriguez, N. (2016). Bridging the gap between research and practice: The role of science in addressing the effects of incarceration on family life. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 665(1), 231–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, J. P., & Yang, H. (2005). Family contact and recidivism: A longitudinal study of adjudicated delinquents in residential care. Social Work Research, 29(1), 31–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., & Claessens, A. (2013). Associations between family structure changes and children’s behavior problems: The moderating effects of timing and marital birth. Developmental Psychology, 49, 1219–1231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sampson, R. J., & Laub, J. H. (1997). A life-course theory of cumulative disadvantage and the stability of delinquency. Developmental Theories of Crime and Delinquency, 7, 133–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sampson, R. J., & Laub, J. H. (2003). Desistance from crime over the life course. In Handbook of the life course (pp. 295–309). Springer, Boston, MA.

  • Sampson, R. J., & Laub, J. H. (2005). A life-course view of the development of crime. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 602(1), 12–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sampson, R. J., Laub, J. H., & Wimer, C. (2006). Does marriage reduce crime? A counterfactual approach to within-individual causal effects. Criminology, 44(3), 465–508.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schubert, CA., Mulvey, EP., Steinberg L., Cauffman E., Losoya SH., Hecker T., ... & Knight G. P. (2004). Operational lessons from the pathways to desistance project. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 2(3), 237-255

  • Shonkoff, J. P., & Phillips, D. A. (2000). From neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early childhood development. National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sweeten, G., Piquero, A. R., & Steinberg, L. (2013). Age and the explanation of crime, revisited. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42(6), 921–938.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tannenbaum, F. (1938). Crime and the community. Columbia University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Tapia, M., Alarid, L. F., & Hutcherson, D. T., II. (2015). Youthful arrest and parental support: Gendered effects in straining the parent–child relationship. Deviant Behavior, 36(8), 674–690.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turanovic, J. J. (2019). Victimization and desistance from crime. Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology, 5(1), 86–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uggen, C., & Stewart, R. (2014). Piling on: Collateral consequences and community supervision. Minnesota Law Review., 99, 1871.

    Google Scholar 

  • van de Rakt, M., Murray, J., & Nieuwbeerta, P. (2012). The long-term effects of paternal imprisonment on criminal trajectories of children. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 49, 81–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, A., Kazemian, L., Lussier, P., & Na, C. (2020). The role of family support in the explanation of patterns of desistance among individuals convicted of a sexual offense. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 35(17–18), 3643–3665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Western, B., Braga, A. A., Davis, J., & Sirois, C. (2015). Stress and hardship afterprison. American Journal of Sociology, 120(5), 1512–1547.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiley, S. A., Slocum, L. A., & Esbensen, F. A. (2013). The unintended consequences of being stopped or arrested: An exploration of the labeling mechanisms through which police contact leads to subsequent delinquency. Criminology, 51(4), 927–966.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, B., Collier, N. L., Siennick, S. E., & Mears, D. P. (2020). Incarceration and the life course: Age-graded effects of the first parental incarceration experience. Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology, 6, 256–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Bowling Green State University, Williams Hall, Bowling Green, OH, 43402, USA

    Samantha Kopf & Thomas J. Mowen

Authors
  1. Samantha Kopf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Thomas J. Mowen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Samantha Kopf.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kopf, S., Mowen, T.J. Labeling and High-Risk Youth: the Influence of Arrest on Family Support. J Dev Life Course Criminology 8, 419–439 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40865-022-00190-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40865-022-00190-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation