Juvenile Delinquency Theory, Trends, Risk Factors and Interventions

This brief explores the current theories, trends, risk factors, and intervention efforts related to juvenile crime. Although arrest rates for juveniles in the US have declined over the last two decades, the amount of severe crimes warrants increased examination as the US reports higher rates than most other developed countries. The authors examine individual, family, and environmental risk and protective factors for juvenile crime, while considering the need for better integration of treatment into critically at-risk areas of the community. Covering notable topics of interest for researchers and public policy makers alike, this brief provides an overview of factors and trends related to juvenile crime, aiming to support more effective, evidence-based treatment and prevention. 

Tom Kennedy is an Associate Professor for the College of Psychology at Nova Southeastern University (NSU).  He serves as a representative for the NSU IRB and is the site supervisor for the forensic practicum. He received his PhD from the University of Miami.  He previously served as Associate Professor for the College of Education at NSU where he was co-director of the Applied Research Center and developed and taught multiple courses including: Methods of Inquiry, Statistics, Advanced Statistics, Research Design, Mixed Methods, Program Evaluation, Survey and Measurement and Testing. His clinical experience consists of providing forensic evaluations, neuropsychological assessments, behavioral medicine interventions, and child and adolescent therapy in inpatient and outpatient settings including: the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, UM Mailman Center for Child Development, Jackson Memorial Hospital, UM Institute for Individual and Family Therapy, and the Dallas County Jail.  Before coming to NSU, he spent five years at the Mailman Center for Child Development, where he trained and supervised school psychologists and assessed children throughout Miami-Dade County Schools. He is board certified in Biofeedback. His research interests include two convergent forensic tracks, one focused on at-risk children and adolescents, and the other on domestic violence and human trafficking.  He has procured grant funding and served as lead evaluator for multiple organizations including Catholic Charities, Miami Dade-Schools Police, and national Bullying programs. He has published books and book chapters, and written articles in the areas of juvenile crime, psychological assessment, bullying, psychophysiology and research design.

Danielle Millen is currently enrolled in Nova Southeastern University’s clinical psychology Ph.D. program and received her MS in Psychology from Nova. Her primary research and clinical interest are focused on assessments and forensic psychology. She is the research coordinator for the forensic concentration at Nova Southeastern University focusing on multiple projects including sex trafficking, intimate partner violence, false confessions, and juvenile delinquency. Danielle is also the program coordinator for Nova Southeastern University’s Forensic Psychology Masters Program. She hopes to continue pursuing research and forensic work in career moving forward.

David Detullio, MA

David Detullio is a doctoral student in the Psy.D. program at Nova Southeastern University and is currently completing his internship. He also possesses an M.A. in Forensic Mental Health Counseling from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He is a part of multiple research projects that focus on a range of topics, including malingering, juvenile delinquency, suicide among juvenile delinquents, psychopathy, and test development. With regards to clinical work, he is predominantly interested in assessment and forensic evaluations. His primary clinical experiences to date are forensic oriented. He hopes to pursue this line of clinical work in the future as well as continuing with his various research interests.