An examination of the theory of planned behavior and the prediction of intentions and recidivism outcomes among juvenile justice youth

Valdés Velasco, Ricardo,author.

Publication

An examination of the theory of planned behavior and the prediction of intentions and recidivism outcomes among juvenile justice youth

Valdés Velasco, Ricardo,author.

Date

2019

Abstract

The research within the Juvenile Justice System in the United States continues to focus on factors associated with the efficacy of treatment programs and receipt of services. However, often less studied are the cognitive processes of Juvenile Justice Youth in relation to their prediction of recidivism outcomes. Using the TPB as a framework to study the relationships of background factors, intentions, and recidivism outcomes, mediation analysis was the basis of the study. The following study provides evidence that recidivism outcomes can be predicted by cognitive-based constructs and mediated by intentions. Further, it was also found that number of arrests is a strong predictor of recidivism from background factors as mediated by the same cognitive-based constructs. Overall, these results should emphasize that the TPB is a salient model in the prediction of intentions and recidivism outcomes.