Does resilience predict recidivism in young offenders?

Authors

Amber Fougere, Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health
Michael D. Daffern, Swinburne University of Technology
Stuart DM Thomas, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

91909

Publication Details

Fougere, A., Daffern, M. & Thomas, S. (2015). Does resilience predict recidivism in young offenders?. Psychiatry Psychology and Law, 22 (2), 198-212.

Abstract

Resilience has been proposed as a protective factor against recidivism and is included for consideration in at least one widely used violence risk assessment instrument. However, resilience is a complex construct rarely subjected to empirical research with offenders. This study sought to redress this by examining the relationship between resilience and recidivism using a psychometrically sound measure of resilience in a sample of young adult offenders. Results showed no statistical association between resilience and criminal charges during a 7-12 month follow-up. The Level of Service/Case Management inventory (LS/CMI) Total Score, intelligence (IQ) and history of assault were significantly associated with recidivism. LS/CMI Total Score and IQ were retained as significant predictors in the logistic regression model, which showed good predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.76, 95% CI 0.64-0.87). These results suggest that clarification of the construct of resilience may be required, or that resilience may not be associated with recidivism.