| NCJ Number: |
199650  |
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| Title: |
Classification of High-Risk Youths |
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| Journal: |
Crime & Delinquency Volume:49 Issue:2 Dated:April 2003 Pages:201-230 |
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| Author(s): |
Richard Dembo; James Schmeidler |
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| Date Published: |
April 2003 |
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| Annotation: |
This article reports on the results of developing and evaluating
a classification of 315 arrested youths processed at the
Hillsborough County Juvenile Assessment Center in Tampa, FL.
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| Abstract: |
Initial interviews were completed from September 1, 1994, through
January 31, 1998. The cluster analysis of summary measures of
nine baseline alcohol/other drug use and self-reported delinquency variables identified four groups of youths: low-level delinquents and drug users, high-level delinquents,
hair-test-identified marijuana and cocaine users, and self-reported drug users. The validity of this typology was assessed by comparing the clusters of youths regarding their education experiences; delinquency referral history; neglect, abuse, and family problem history; close friends' problem
behavior; and emotional/psychological functioning and mental health and substance abuse treatment history. The findings show that youths were experiencing overlapping delinquency, alcohol/other drug use, and emotional/psychological problems. The authors advise that intervention efforts which focus on one problem at a time are unlikely to meet with success. The use of
cluster analysis to identify subgroups of youths who possibly
need more intensive services highlights its usefulness in the
efficient use of scarce treatment resources. Such a use of
cluster analysis is particularly appropriate for youths who enter
the juvenile justice system. 12 tables and 36 references
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| Main Term(s): |
Juvenile offender classification |
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| Index Term(s): |
Diagnostic and reception processing; Florida; Juvenile delinquency factors; Juvenile drug use; Underage Drinking |
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| Publisher: |
http://www.sagepub.com |
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| Page Count: |
30 |
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| Format: |
Article |
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| Type: |
Test/Measurement |
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| Language: |
English |
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| Country: |
United States of America |
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To cite this abstract, use the following link:
http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=199650 |
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