Bronwen Perley-Robertson
Name: Bronwen Perley-Robertson
Area of Study: Forensic
In what program are you currently enrolled? PhD
What year of the program are you currently in? 1
Citation in APA format
Lloyd, C. D., Perley-Robertson, B., & Serin, R. C. (2019). Age and strengths in a community corrections sample. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/14999013.2019.1684404
Plain language abstract:
Variables conceptualized as strengths are theoretically important for the management of recidivism risk among juveniles and adults. Although measures of strengths are related to recidivism outcomes, little is known about whether these factors vary in prevalence or predictive validity across adulthood. We examined the predictive validity of strengths among male parolees supervised within community corrections (N = 3,169) rated by supervision officers. The prevalence of strengths did not differ across age. Further, strengths exhibited a promotive effect across all age groups in that predictive validity was consistent across age, with the exception that strength variables were associated with an enhanced promotive effect among older individuals when predicting violent community outcomes. In particular, prosocial relationships were more strongly related to reduced violent recidivism among older compared to younger parolees. Further research is required to identify factors that may predict recidivism more strongly among higher risk younger individuals.
How did the idea for this research come about?
This project is part of an ongoing research initiative in the Criminal Justice Decision Making Lab that seeks to evaluate the Dynamic Risk Assessment for Offender Re-Entry (DRAOR). The DRAOR is a structured case management scale designed to assist community supervision officers in the assessment of recidivism risk throughout an offender’s supervision period. It measures both factors that increase one’s likelihood of reoffending (risk factors) and reduce it (strength factors). To address a notable gap in the literature, we wanted to examine whether certain strength factors were more prevalent among older versus younger parolees. We also wanted to see if the presence of strengths among younger parolees may protect these higher risk individuals from recidivism more strongly than older parolees. More advanced knowledge in these areas would serve to improve our understanding of the crime-desistance process and enhance interventions for released offenders.
How did you collect the data for this project?
The dataset used in this project was also used in two previous doctoral dissertations (Hanby, 2013; Lloyd, 2015). It was collected by the New Zealand Department of Corrections, one of the jurisdictions that uses the DRAOR.
Was the journal you published in the first journal you submitted this paper to?
Yes
Why did you choose this journal?
My coauthors and I believed that our manuscript was well suited for the International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, as it addresses risk assessment and implications for offender management, two main focuses of the journal.
How many other journals did you submit this paper to before it landed in the journal that eventually published your work?
0
What was your revision experience?
The feedback we received from the reviewers and editor greatly improved the quality of our work. We went through one round of revisions, in which we were primarily asked to improve our analytical approach and clarify several theoretical concepts.
How many rounds of revision did you experience?
1
Did you need to collect new data to satisfy a reviewer?
No
How long did it take from first submission to acceptance?
12 months
Was this paper conducted as part of your MA thesis?
No
Was this paper conducted as part of your PhD dissertation?
No
How did this project come about?
I completed this project as an independent study.
Was this research conducted with your supervisor?
Yes, with Dr. Ralph Serin.
Was this research conducted with fellow graduate students in our program?
No
Was this research conducted with researchers external to Carleton?
Yes, with Dr. Caleb D. Lloyd.
You can access the article here.