A discriminant analysis of violent and non -violent female juvenile offenders using the socio -ecological theory

This research investigated the interaction between adolescent coping style and family functioning in differentiating between female juvenile offenders who had been adjudicated on violent or non-violent charges. The validity of Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological theory was examined in relation to a female juvenile offender population.;An ex post facto design was chosen for this study. Four general hypotheses and eight specific hypotheses were tested using Multiple Linear Regression analysis. The sample included 110 female juvenile offenders ranging from 12 to 20 years of age. The participants were detained in one of three juvenile detention facilities at the time of data collection. Adolescent coping style was assessed using the problem-focused coping scale and the emotion-focused coping scale of the Adolescent Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences (A-COPE). The adolescent's perception of family functioning was evaluated using the communication scale and the general family functioning scale of the Family Assessment Device (FAD). The adolescent's charges were classified as either violent or non-violent.;The results indicated support for one of the specific hypotheses that tested the interaction of problem-focused coping and general family functioning. When the main effects were plotted, the interaction showed that as adolescents who perceived their family as functional increased their use of problem-focused coping, the incidence of violence charges decreased. In contrast, as adolescents who perceived their family as functioning poorly increased their use of problem-focused coping, their risk for violence charges increased.;Emotion-focused coping did not significantly differentiate between violence or non-violence charges either when the interaction between emotion-focused coping and family functioning was tested or when emotion-focused coping was tested as a main effect. Problem-focused coping did not significantly differentiate between violence charges as a main effect or in the interaction with family communication.;This study offered partial support for the socio-ecological theory when used with female juvenile offenders. Implications for research include investigation of interactions between individual coping variables and family variables when studying adolescent coping in order to avoid misinterpretation of main effects. Clinical implications suggest an awareness of the adolescent within the context of the family in assessment and treatment planning for female juvenile offenders.