Child maltreatment and violence are two major public health concerns in the United States. The relationship between maltreatment and subsequent violent behavior, also referred to as the "cycle of violence", is not well understood. The present study examines whether a history of maltreatment predicts violent behavior in a sample of youth already at high risk for violence: delinquent youth. Using a stratified, random sample of 1612 detained youth, large enough to generate reliable rates of maltreatment and violent behavior, this study addresses the following questions: (1) What is the prevalence of neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, multiple types of maltreatment, and any maltreatment in a sample of delinquent youth? (2) What is the prevalence of violent behavior in a sample of delinquent youth? (3) Among delinquent youth, is a history of maltreatment a significant predictor of violent behavior? (4) Among delinquent youth, is a history of a specific type of maltreatment (neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or multiple types of maltreatment) a significant predictor of violent behavior? (5) Are there gender, racial/ ethnic, or age differences in the cycle of violence? The results show that one-third of males and two-thirds of females had an official record of maltreatment and/or reported any maltreatment. In terms of violent behavior, over half of males and almost 40% of females reported engaging in at least one act of violence during the 5-year follow-up period. After controlling for race/ethnicity, age, maltreatment after the baseline interview, violence prior to the baseline interview, and incarceration during follow-up, maltreatment in general did not predict subsequent violent behavior for males or females. However, males with a history of multiple types of maltreatment (that is, neglect and physical abuse) were three times more likely than nonmaltreated males to commit robbery. Controlling for race/ethnicity and age did not significantly affect the relationship between a history of multiple types of maltreatment and robbery for males. For females we did not find a relationship between specific types of maltreatment and subsequent violent behavior. Implications for future research, public policy, and clinical practice are discussed.

Last modified

• 08/16/2018

Creator

• Ursula Cornelia Thomas

DOI

• https://doi.org/10.21985/N20X4B

Subject

• Psychology

Keyword

• maltreatment
• youth
• delinquent
• violence

Date created

• 2007-08-15

Resource type

• Dissertation

Rights statement

• In Copyright