Date of Award
1-1-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.C.J. in Criminal Justice
First Advisor
Katharine Brown
Second Advisor
D'Andre Walker
Third Advisor
Francis Boateng
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to quantitatively assess the impact of victimization on behavioral and emotional outcomes among a sample of adolescents detained within the juvenile justice system. Specifically, the study focuses on understanding the relationship between reports of victimization (e.g., being beaten up or threatened) and maladaptive coping mechanisms, such as involvement in fighting. To do so, Agnew’s (1992) General Strain Theory (GST) and the Pains of Imprisonment are adopted as frameworks for understanding the role of strain or stressors in prompting deviant behavior as a coping mechanism. This study uses secondary data from the Northwestern Juvenile Project (NJP), involving 1,829 youth from the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (CCJTDC). The analysis utilizes follow-up data collected 16 years after the initial interviews to explore how victimization experiences during detention influence perceptions of safety and subsequent coping behaviors. Results indicate that victimization is significantly associated with both lower perceptions of safety and an increase in maladaptive coping behaviors. However, perceptions of safety did not mediate the relationship between victimization and maladaptive coping. These findings underscore the importance of directly addressing victimization and safety concerns in juvenile detention settings, offering insights for interventions aimed at improving the well-being of incarcerated youth.
Recommended Citation
Stephenson, Peyton Conner, "Juvenile Coping and General Strain Theory" (2024). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2981.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/2981