Childhood Instability and Girls’ Delinquency: Role of Changes in Schools, Homes, and Caregivers

Abstract

There are indications that stressful live factors—such as instability of childhood residence, schools, and primary caregivers—may be associated with occurrence of adolescent delinquency. Using self-report interviews with 100 girls committed to a juvenile facility, we examined the duration of substance use and running away as it related to childhood instability indicators including changes in caregivers, residences, and schools in the girls’ lives. Findings showed significant associations between status offending and childhood instability. Specifically, girls’ substance abuse was positively associated with number of schools attended. Additionally, running away was positively associated with number of schools and number of different primary caregivers, but was negatively associated with number of different residences. Potential explanations and implications for future research are addressed.

Keywords:

• female offenders
• status offenses
• residential mobility
• school mobility
• running away
• substance use

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by Grant 2006-WG-BX-0011 awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice and with support of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. Points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice or the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.