Unraveling the link between trauma and male delinquency: the cumulative versus differential risk perspectives

Within the social work, mental health, and criminal justice fields, researchers generally agree that trauma places youths at risk of juvenile delinquency. Proponents of the developmental and cumulative risk theoretical [...]
This study examined how the cumulative (additive) versus differential (individual) effects of trauma influenced male delinquency. Using a comprehensive measure of trauma, a secondary data analysis was conducted on a nationally representative sample of male youths between the ages of 12 and 17. Logistic regression analyses revealed that all three types of stressors had an effect on male delinquency, even after controlling for potential confounding factors. These findings underscore the need to adopt a broader view of the types of trauma linked to juvenile delinquency. Implications for social work practice and intervention research are discussed. KEY WORDS: cumulative risk; exposure to violence; juvenile delinquency; stressful life events; trauma