Alfonso Arteaga, Javier Fernández-Montalvo & José J. López-Goñi
A new study published in the Revista de Psicología Clínica con Niños y Adolescentes / Journal of Clinical Psychology in Childhood and Adolescence examines the factors that differentiate youths who reoffend from those who do not after a judicial measure. Based on a sample of 838 juvenile offenders in Spain, the results show that nearly 30% reoffend and that these youths present a more deteriorated psychosocial profile, with greater family, school, and social difficulties. Among the main factors associated with recidivism are antisocial attitudes, chronic substance use, school truancy, relationships with delinquent peers, and a lack of structured leisure activities. The study highlights the importance of designing tailored interventions focused on these risk factors in order to prevent further criminal behavior and promote the social reintegration of minors.
