The Relationship of Spirituality and Family Functioning to Recidivism: An Investigation with Incarcerated Adolescent Males. Issue 3 (2nd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stewart, Chris; Rapp, Lisa
• Is Part Of: Residential treatment for children & youth. Volume 34:Issue 3/4(2017)
• Page Start: 292
• Page End: 310
• Publication Date: 2017-10-02
• Subjects: adolescents -- recidivism -- family functioning -- spirituality -- incarceration; Children -- Institutional care -- Periodicals; Youth -- Institutional care -- Periodicals; 362.732
• DOI: 10.1080/0886571X.2017.1370409
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0886-571X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Family functioning has been strongly linked to adolescent problematic behavior, including delinquency and subsequent recidivism. Adolescent spirituality however, while demonstrating some evidence as a protective factor against some problematic outcomes, such as delinquent behavior, has not been explored to the same degree as other more well-established factors. There is little understanding, for example, as to whether spirituality may act as a protective factor for adolescent recidivism, particularly in the presence of other identified protective factors. This study sought to examine the relationship of adolescent spirituality and family functioning with recidivism in a sample of incarcerated adolescent males. A longitudinal design was employed to measure both spirituality and family functioning during and post discharge from a boot camp. Results support the likely importance of adolescent spirituality as a protective factor for recidivism.