Self-Reported Arrests Among Indigenous Adolescents: a Longitudinal Analysis of Community, Family, and Individual Risk...

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Adolescent Health
• Sociology

Background:

• North American indigenous adolescents are disproportionately represented in juvenile justice systems.
• Unequal distribution of risk factors is a proposed explanation for this disparity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of first arrest among indigenous adolescents.
• To identify risk factors associated with first arrest in this population.

Main Methods:

• An 8-year longitudinal panel study of 641 indigenous youth (ages 10-19).
• Discrete-time survival models were used to analyze the hazard of first arrest.
• Both time-invariant and time-varying risk factors were included.

Main Results:

• The risk of arrest increased with age, particularly between ages 13.1 and 14.3.
• 55% of participants had at least one arrest by study's end.
• Risk factors included exposure to violence, parent arrest, age, income, alcohol use, marijuana use, and peer delinquency.

Conclusions:

• First arrest has significant repercussions for adolescents, impacting juvenile justice involvement and adult life.
• Effective prevention requires addressing community, family, and peer factors beyond just problem behaviors.