The Relationship of Spirituality and Family Functioning to Recidivism: An Investigation with Incarcerated Adolescent Males

ABSTRACT

Family functioning has been strongly linked to adolescent problematic behavior, including delinquency and subsequent recidivism. Adolescent spirituality however, while demonstrating some evidence as a protective factor against some problematic outcomes, such as delinquent behavior, has not been explored to the same degree as other more well-established factors. There is little understanding, for example, as to whether spirituality may act as a protective factor for adolescent recidivism, particularly in the presence of other identified protective factors. This study sought to examine the relationship of adolescent spirituality and family functioning with recidivism in a sample of incarcerated adolescent males. A longitudinal design was employed to measure both spirituality and family functioning during and post discharge from a boot camp. Results support the likely importance of adolescent spirituality as a protective factor for recidivism.

KEYWORDS:

• adolescents
• recidivism
• family functioning
• spirituality
• incarceration