Child maltreatment, crime and behavioral problems among juvenile offenders in Taiwan

Objective: To examine juvenile offenders’ experiences of child maltreatment and the associations of child maltreatment, juvenile delinquency, and behavioral problems in Taiwan. Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational study... [ view full abstract ]

Objective: To examine juvenile offenders’ experiences of child maltreatment and the associations of child maltreatment, juvenile delinquency, and behavioral problems in Taiwan.
Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational study of 621 juvenile offenders from 2 juvenile correctional facilities and 3 midway schools in Taiwan was conducted. The Chinese version of International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect Child Abuse Screening Tools Children’s Home Version was used to estimate the forms and magnitude of child maltreatment. Behavioral problems were measured by Child Behavior Scale. Depending on the jurisdiction, crime was categorized into violent or non-violent acts.
Results: Most juvenile offenders (93%, n = 575) experienced at least one form of maltreatment with 83% (n = 516) being exposed to childhood victimization during the previous year. Female juvenile offenders reported a significantly higher rate of polyvictimization and any form of child maltreatment over their lifetime compared to males. Each form of child maltreatment and polyvictimization were significantly associated with juveniles’ externalizing and internalizing behaviors. Compared to their counterparts, violent and male offenders reported significantly having more externalizing behavioral problems. After adjusting for experience of past histories of referral to residential institutions, and family histories of mental illnesses, alcohol and drug abuse, and criminality, a significant gender and neglect interaction effect was found in predicting juvenile offenders’ aggressive behavior, fear and anxiety.
Conclusion: Juvenile offenders reported a high prevalence of child maltreatment, and experiencing child maltreatment were positively related to later violent crime and behavioral problems. Early intervention on preventing child maltreatment is critical to prevent children engaging in antisocial and criminal behavior later in life.