FAMILY AND SOCIAL CONTEXTS OF ADOLESCENT RE-OFFENDERS

Drawn from a representative sample, 74 young people (15-16-years old o n average) who were being arrested frequently by the police (''re-offe nders'') were traced and interviewed wherever they were living about a spects of their family and social lives. interview data revealed high levels of family disruption and a wide variety of current and past liv ing circumstances. Interviewees reported good relationships with their mothers and strong social ties with friends and peers. Few were invol ved in any constructive day to day activities, a third claiming to be unemployed and most doing nothing. Drug and alcohol use were widesprea d and heavy, and there was evidence of many attempts to get help for a variety of problems-half had had some sort of psychological intervent ion or counselling arranged for them-and distress, general stresses an d lack of support were not uncommon. Intervention and policy implicati ons are discussed. (C) 1996 The Association for Professionals in Servi ces for Adolescents