How child maltreatment affects dimensions of juvenile delinquency in a cohort of low-income urban youths

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Abstract
This study examines how the presence and types of maltreatment affect dimensions of delinquency and whether the relationship is maintained in the presence of sociodemographic factors. A prospective comparison-group design was employed, featuring controls on social class, race, gender, age, and urban residence. A cohort of 632 males from low-income families, living in one of Pennsylvania's largest cities, was tracked through the state's child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Results indicate that the presence of maltreatment significantly affected the initiation and continuation of delinquency. Neglect was found to be a highly criminogenic factor. Race was not associated with maltreatment nor with delinquency.