Emotional and Behavioural Problems of Young Offenders in Singapore: Findings from the EPYC Study (SpringerBriefs in Criminology)

This book presents the findings from the Enhancing Positive Outcomes in Youth and the Community (EPYC) study. EPYC is a ground-breaking nationwide 10-year longitudinal study on young offenders in Singapore. It focuses on understanding crime prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration of these youths. Data were collected through yearly interviews, external assessments, and linkage of administrative records to provide a comprehensive picture of participants. In addition, a non-offender youth sample was included as a normative comparison sample. The research and findings of this book focus on: Prevalence rates and comorbidity of Emotional and Behavioural Problems (EBPs) in young offenders Drug use and Re-offending Risk and Protective Factors for EBPs As this study represents one of the first in Asia and one of few across the globe with such in-depth investigations, it aims to advance the understanding of youth offending and associated emotional and behavioural issues. This book is best suited for criminal justice and mental health scholars, practitioners, and policy makers who are working with Asian populations or interested in cross-cultural comparisons. Preface Acknowledgements Contents About the Editors Contributors Abbreviations Chapter 1: Introduction References Chapter 2: Methodology of the Longitudinal Study 2.1 Aims of the Study 2.2 Sample 2.2.1 Baseline Sample 2.2.2 Baseline Sample Representativeness 2.2.3 Longitudinal Sample 2.3 Data Collection Procedures 2.4 Measures 2.4.1 Measures of EBPs 2.4.2 Measures of Risk Factors 2.4.3 Measures of Protective Factors 2.4.4 Measures of Criminal Behaviours 2.5 Analytical Plan 2.6 Summary References Chapter 3: Prevalence and Comorbidity of Emotional and Behavioural Problems of Young Offenders in Singapore 3.1 The Mental Disorder Treatment Gap 3.2 Co-occurrence of EBPs 3.3 Examining EBP Comorbidity Using Network Analyses 3.4 The Current Study 3.5 Prevalence of Self-Reported EBPs 3.5.1 Comparison Between Young Offender and Non-offender Samples 3.5.2 Sex Differences 3.6 Comparison of EBP Networks for Young Offenders and Non-offenders 3.7 Sex Specific Networks Among Young Offenders 3.8 Treatment Gap 3.9 Practical Implications 3.10 Future Directions Appendix (Figs. 3.3 and 3.4) References Chapter 4: Prevalence and Trajectories of Depression 4.1 Prevalence of Depression 4.2 Changes in Depression 4.3 Risk and Protective Factors Relating to Depression 4.4 Summary 4.4.1 Depression Improving After Entering the Justice System 4.4.2 Personality, Violence Exposure, and Housing Status Are Risk Factors for Depression 4.4.3 Family Environment Matters Most References Chapter 5: Drug Use in Young Offenders: The Link to Emotional and Behavioural Problems 5.1 Changes in EBPs and Drug Use 5.2 EBPs and Drug Use 5.2.1 Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis 5.2.2 Behavioural Problems Increased the Risk of Drug Use 5.3 Summary 5.3.1 Decrease in Drug Use and EBPs 5.3.2 Behavioural Problems Associated with Drug Use 5.3.3 Screen and Treat EBPs References Chapter 6: Predicting 2-Year Re-offending Among Young Offenders Under Community Supervision 6.1 Re-offending, Level of Risk, and EBPs in the Community Sample 6.1.1 Re-offending Rate 6.1.2 Level of Risk 6.1.3 EBPs 6.2 EBPs and Level of Risk 6.3 Re-offending Rates Based on Level of Risk and EBPs 6.4 Incremental Validity of EBP Assessment in Predicting Re-offending 6.5 Summary and Implications 6.5.1 YLS/CMI Level of Risk Is the Strongest Predictor of Re-offending 6.5.2 Behavioural Problems Had Incremental Validity over YLS/CMI Level of Risk 6.5.3 Screening for EBPs, Especially in High-Risk Young Offenders References Chapter 7: Protective Factors Against Emotional and Behavioural Problems in Young Offenders 7.1 Changes in EBPs, External, and Internal Protective Factors 7.1.1 EBP Trajectories 7.1.2 External and Internal Protective Factors’ Trajectories 7.2 Identifying Effective Protective Factors 7.2.1 External Protective Factors: Family Context 7.2.2 External Protective Factors: Assets from Peer Groups, School, and Community Settings 7.2.3 Internal Protective Factors: Personal Competence 7.3 Summary References Chapter 8: Conclusions and Recommendations 8.1 Prevalence and Comorbidity of EBPs 8.2 EBPs, Drug Use, and Re-offending 8.3 Risk and Protective Factors for EBPs 8.4 Conclusion References Index