Female Vs Male Risk Factors for Offending

Question 1

Substance Abuse

Answer 1

Predictive of offending in both genders
most predictive for recidivism in females
most likely to occur prior to offending in females
females most likely to use drugs as a coping mechanisms

Question 2

Poor Mental Health

Answer 2

Does not predict recidivism in males or females

Question 3

Criminal associates

Answer 3

Theoretically should be more important for girls
Treatment targeting delinquent peer associations reduces recidivism in girls
females more negatively impacted by criminally active intimate partners

Question 4

Poor School Performance/Employment Difficulties

Answer 4

Risk for both genders

Opportunities for employment training lower recidivism in females, but not males *

Question 5

Poor Community Functioning

Answer 5

Need for adequate housing related to recidivism for both genders, but slightly higher for females

Question 6

Economic Marginalization and Patriarchy

Answer 6

Low SES, family income, poor housing disproportionately affects female recidivism

Question 7

Protective Factors

Answer 7

*Being female is one of the largest protective factors
No gender differences in number of protective factors that reduce recidivism between high/low risk offenders

*Protective factors are more pronounced in high-risk offenders who do not recidivate (both genders)

Having just one positive friendship can be a buffer against high-risk behaviours among girls