J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2001 Mar;40(2):279-291.

Analysis for Predictors of Juvenile Recidivism in Korea

• Kim HS
• Kim HS

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the present study was to identify predictors of juvenile recidivism in Korea. METHOD: As a questionnaire survey, subjects served for this study consisted of 546 delinquents adolescents including 246 one-time delinquent and 300 recidivists in Korea, sampled from Korean delinquent adolescents, using the proportional stratified random sampling method. Data were analysed by the SAS program. Statistical methods employed were t-test and logistic regression analysis, etc.
RESULTS
The juvenile recidivists showed the higher dysfunctional family dynamic environment than one-time delinquent. The juvenile recidivist showed the more maladaptive personality character than one-time delinquent. The predictors of juvenile recidivism were age at first-committing delinquent behavior, parent-child relationship, sociability and aggressive impulsiveness, in descending order. Among these predictors, the strongest predictor was age factor. That is, age at first-committing delinquent behavior showed 0.46 of odds ratio.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, it was found that age of adolescent at first-committing delinquent behavior served as the strongest predictor of juvenile recidivism among Korean adolescents. That is, the adolescents committed first delinquent at younger age showed higher rate of recidivism in Korea.

Keyword

Predictors; Juvenile recidivism

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Age Factors
Humans
Korea*
Logistic Models
Odds Ratio
Parent-Child Relations
Surveys and Questionnaires