4-FACTOR MODEL OF RECIDIVISM IN MALE JUVENILE-OFFENDERS

Measured the relative contribution of multiple variables toward the pr ediction of recidivism in 129 male juvenile delinquents committed to a state training school. We identified those classes of variables (as o pposed to individual variables) that best predict repeat offending. Us ing factor analysis, we classified the variables empirically and ident ified four factors: Institutional Adjustment antisocial Behavior, inte llectual Achievement, and Psychological Distress. With stepwise discri minant function analysis (using the factor scores for each subject), w e determined the equation that best delineated group membership, one t hat correctly classified 73.4% of recidivists and 65.6% of nonrecidivi sts. Results indicate that, in attempting to predict recidivism, the i nvestigation of classes of variables rather than individual measures c an provide a meaningful and effective approach to the problem.