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Predictors of juvenile recidivism in a Singapore sample
Author
Lim, Helena Yen Nie
Supervisor
Huan, Vivien Swee Leng
Abstract
The purpose of the study is to investigate age of first offense, running away from home, gang membership, delinquent behaviours as predictors of juvenile recidivism in Singapore. Another less major objective is to look at the correlations of the focus variables in this study. A review of the literature indicates that age of first offense, running away from home, gang membership, and delinquent behaviours are strong predictors of juvenile recidivism. Despite the volume of overseas researches on recidivism, there is yet a study to look at the predictors associated with recidivism for juveniles offenders in Singapore. A study to explore the variables related to reoffending behaviour in our context would yield a more accurate picture of the risk factors affecting our juveniles.
Data was collected from the probation reports of juveniles referred to the juvenile court in 2005. A sample of three hundred and eighty-two cases was included in the analyses. Of the three hundred and eighty-two cases, 312 were males (81.7%) and 70 were females (18.3%). They ranged in age from 11 to 16 and the mean age was 14.55 years (SD = 0.93). 195 (51.0%) participants were Chinese, 127 (33.5%) were Malays, 37 (9.7%) were Indians and the remaining 23 (6.0%) were classified as others, a category that includes other ethnic groups not listed.
Regression analyses and correlation analyses were performed to investigate the hypotheses. From the correlation analyses, results showed that recidivism was significantly correlated with each of the four potential predictor variables, age of first offense, running away from home, gang membership, and the total number of delinquent behaviours. In addition, results from the regression analysis supported the hypotheses of this study. The variables, age of first offense, running away from home, gang membership, and the total number of delinquent behaviours, are found to be significant predictors of juvenile recidivism.
The research is limited to only this particular sample of juvenile delinquents in Singapore. It is recommended that other studies cross-validate these findings in different geographic regions, and different groups of juveniles, including females. In addition, factors that prevent recidivism should be identified.
The results from this study have contributed to local research literature on factors influencing recidivism among youth offenders. The findings also have applied and practical implications for intervention and prevention work for youths both in schools and in incarceration.
Data was collected from the probation reports of juveniles referred to the juvenile court in 2005. A sample of three hundred and eighty-two cases was included in the analyses. Of the three hundred and eighty-two cases, 312 were males (81.7%) and 70 were females (18.3%). They ranged in age from 11 to 16 and the mean age was 14.55 years (SD = 0.93). 195 (51.0%) participants were Chinese, 127 (33.5%) were Malays, 37 (9.7%) were Indians and the remaining 23 (6.0%) were classified as others, a category that includes other ethnic groups not listed.
Regression analyses and correlation analyses were performed to investigate the hypotheses. From the correlation analyses, results showed that recidivism was significantly correlated with each of the four potential predictor variables, age of first offense, running away from home, gang membership, and the total number of delinquent behaviours. In addition, results from the regression analysis supported the hypotheses of this study. The variables, age of first offense, running away from home, gang membership, and the total number of delinquent behaviours, are found to be significant predictors of juvenile recidivism.
The research is limited to only this particular sample of juvenile delinquents in Singapore. It is recommended that other studies cross-validate these findings in different geographic regions, and different groups of juveniles, including females. In addition, factors that prevent recidivism should be identified.
The results from this study have contributed to local research literature on factors influencing recidivism among youth offenders. The findings also have applied and practical implications for intervention and prevention work for youths both in schools and in incarceration.
Date Issued
2009
Call Number
HV9203 Lim
Date Submitted
2009