The Youth Protective Factors Study is an unprecedented multistate, multiyear examination of the risk-need-responsivity and positive youth justice approaches, that also examined whether the effectiveness of these approaches differed by youths’ age among 10- to 23-year-olds. This was a collaboration between the research labs at UMass Chan Medical and UC-Berkeley, the Council of State Governments Justice Center, and juvenile justice agencies in three states. The project examined violent recidivism after youths’ juvenile justice involvement via two studies: 1) a retrospective study (N = > 30,000) to lengthen follow-up periods, and 2) a prospective study of youth referred to the juvenile justice systems (N = 3,380) to obtain novel measures of protective factors and service participation. The prospective study involved unparalleled tracking of all services (risk-reduction and strengths-based services), results of risk /needs assessments and protective factors. A slight majority of these youth referred to the system were low risk (43.1%). The risk factors most strongly predictive of violent recidivism post-supervision were disruptive behaviors (e.g., aggression), family (e.g., poor supervision), negative peers, school-related behavioral problems, and attitudes supporting crime. Substance misuse was only predictive for younger youth. Protective factors most consistently protective against violent recidivism were self-control and self-efficacy, both of which had incremental validity over youths’ risk level. Other protective factors were strongly predictive in only the most well-powered state—prosocial engagements and social supports. School connectedness was strongly protective for younger youth. In robust, well-controlled analyses, participation in any strengths-based services increased the likelihood of violent recidivism, while risk-reduction services had no effect. However, the most common services youth received were mental health and very few services were evidence-based. More research is needed to develop guidance for effective implementation of positive youth justice.
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