Family Contact and Recidivism: A Longitudinal Study of Adjudicated Delinquents in Residential Care‪.‬

Families are critical to understanding and interrupting patterns of delinquent and criminal behavior. The objective of this study was to determine whether specific types of contact with family members are associated with a reduced risk of recidivism after a long-term residential program for juvenile delinquents. Family contact reports were analyzed for a random sample of 90 adjudicated delinquents released from a long-term residential facility in Michigan. Two years after their release from residential care, official arrest reports were provided by the Michigan State Police Department. Thirty-six percent of the youths were arrested at least once. Cox regression coefficients indicate that age, race, and family contact were related to subsequent involvement with the adult correctional system. In-home counseling, campus visits initiated by family members, and home visits initiated by the family service worker reduced the likelihood of recidivism. The implications for social work policy and practice are discussed. KEY WORDS: delinquency; family; recidivism; residential care; youths