1. The Path to Criminal Behavior
Identifying and Mitigating Risk Factors in Juveniles

2. Why study developmental and environmental risk factors?
To enhance the efficacy of our prevention programs, thereby:
Improving public safety
Reducing costs and resource burden
Improving the chances of a bright future for at-risk youth
While circumstances leading to criminal behavior vary by individual, research has shown that there are several common developmental and environmental factors that can increase a juvenile’s risk for delinquency. By understanding these risk factors, we can improve the efficacy of our prevention programs. This, in turn, can help us improve public safety, reduce costs and resources, and improve the chances of a bright future for at-risk youth.

3. Developmental Risk Factors
Early developmental delays:
Language or speech
Movement
Vision
Cognitive abilities
Social skills
Emotional control
According to a 2013 study published in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, “children with early developmental delays are at heightened risk for behavior problems and comorbid psychopathology” (Gerstein, Pedersen y Arbona, Crnic, Ryu, Baker, & Blacher, 2013, p. 351). These delays can include issues with language or speech, movement, vision, cognitive abilities, social skills, and emotional control.
It is thought that children with these delays have difficulty regulating their behavior, which over time can lead to violence, aggression, and criminal activity (Gerstein et al., 2011).

4. Developmental Risk Factors
Can be caused by:
Smoking, alcohol, and drug use during pregnancy
Birth complications
Teenage pregnancy
Maternal depression and/or stress
Primary prenatal risk factors that can cause these delays have been identified as (Liu, 2011):
Smoking, alcohol, and drug use during pregnancy
Birth complications
Teenage pregnancy
Maternal depression and/or stress

5. Mitigating Developmental Risk
Protective factors:
Screening prospective and expecting mothers for drug, alcohol and tobacco use, as well as depression and stress
Referral for appropriate treatment and counseling
Earlier, more comprehensive education programs in schools
Increased access to and quality of prenatal care
Protective factors can help reduce these early health risks through awareness and proper care. These include (Liu, 2011):
Screening prospective and expecting mothers for drug, alcohol and tobacco use, as well as depression and stress
Referral for appropriate treatment and counseling
Earlier, more comprehensive education programs in schools
Increased access to and quality of prenatal care

6. Environmental Risk Factors
Environmental risk factors refer to the socioeconomic and demographic influences on a child’s life, such as (Shader, n.d.):
Child abuse
Malnutrition
Poverty
Family conflict
Lack of discipline or overly strict discipline
Separation from parents
Poor attitude and performance at school
Neighborhood crime
Weak social ties
Delinquent peers

7. Mitigating Environmental Risk
Protective factors:
Individual and family counseling
Tutoring and/or alternative education
Participation in clubs or extracurricular activities
Mentorship programs
Many environmental factors are difficult to change, such as poverty or absence of a parent, for example. But several protective factors can minimize the adverse effects of these circumstances. These include (“Risk & Protective Factors,” n.d.):
Individual and family counseling
Tutoring and/or alternative education
Participation in clubs or extracurricular activities
Mentorship programs

8. The Role of Gender
Males typically commit more crimes than females, especially violent crimes
Males:
More influenced by environmental factors
Females:
Tend to be more influenced by developmental factors
Some researchers argue that gender is one of the strongest predictors of criminal behavior. Males typically commit more crimes than females, especially violent crimes (Denno, 1997). While there is no concrete explanation for this, it has been theorized that crime and violence are associated with masculinity and dominance, whereas social norms and femininity keep females more obedient.
There have been numerous studies revealing a wide variety of insights related to the role of gender in juvenile delinquency, but a key takeaways for intervention efforts is that males tend to be more influenced by environmental factors ,while females tend to be more influenced by developmental factors (Denno, 1997).
For example, a male would likely be more affected by the absence of a parent at home, particularly a father. Therefore he might be a good candidate for referral to a mentoring program, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters. Conversely, a female would likely be more affected by maternal depression (Liu, 2011), and could potentially benefit from childhood therapy sessions.

9. Our mission
Be proactive: Identify risk factors and intervene early to prevent delinquent behavior
In conclusion, our mission is to be proactive. When we learn to identify these various risk factors for criminal behavior, and seek to understand their underlying causes, we are better equipped to intervene early, rather than trying to address the problem later through punitive action.

10. References
Denno, DW. (1997) Gender Differences in Biological and Sociological Predictors of Crime. 22 Vt. L. Rev Retrieved from:
Gerstein, E.D. Pedersen y Arbona, A., Crnic, K.A., Ryu, E., Baker, B.L., & Blacher, J. (April 2011). Developmental Risk and Young Children’s Regulatory Strategies: Predicting Behavior Problems at Age Five. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 39(3): 351–364. doi: /s
Liu, J. (2011). Early Health Risk Factors for Violence: Conceptualization, Review of the Evidence, and Implications. Aggress Violent Behav. 16(1): 63–73. doi: /j.avb
National Institute of Justice. (n.d.). Risk and Protective Factors. Retrieved from:
Shader, M. (n.d.). Risk Factors for Delinquency: An Overview. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Retrieved from: