| This investigation examines multiple linkages between child maltreatment and juvenile delinquency, applying principles from developmental psychopathology and resilience theory to guide modeling procedures. Using data from the Chicago Longitudinal Study (CLS), this investigation answers four main questions. The first tests the direct connection between maltreatment and the incidence and frequency of delinquency. Question two assesses if certain maltreatment features (e.g. type; timing) uniquely impact delinquency, and if maltreatment is associated with variation in the type (e.g. violent; drug) and onset of offending. Question three examines whether various categorical factors moderate the association between maltreatment and delinquency. Question four investigates whether the maltreatment-delinquency link varies between children placed in out-of-home care and children who were not removed from the home.;The CLS is a prospective investigation of a cohort of 1,539 children from low-income families who attended public kindergarten programs in 1985-86. Maltreatment data were gathered from official records maintained by the Chapin Hall Center for Children. Delinquency data were derived from administrative records in Illinois and Wisconsin and from self-reported juvenile arrest information collected at ages 15 and 23.;Findings revealed that substantiated maltreatment was associated with a significant increase in the incidence and frequency of official petitions, but not with self-reported arrests. Results indicated that, with some qualifications, both neglect and physical abuse were associated with delinquent outcomes. Earlier (age 0-7) maltreatment was associated with multiple delinquent outcomes, while later (8-11) maltreatment was not. Further, maltreatment was linked to more serious patterns of offending, both in terms of type (violent) and onset (early). There was little evidence that any factors tested significantly moderated the main-effect findings. Finally, maltreated children who were placed in out-of-home care were less likely to be adjudicated than maltreated children who were never placed outside the home.;The results recommend that maltreatment prevention programs may be effective strategies for reducing delinquency. Further, findings suggest that (a) out-of-home placement had an ameliorative impact, and/or (b) in-home services were insufficient or ineffective, which has potential policy implications for child welfare service provision. |
