Developmental Assets Model of High Risk Behaviors, Thriving Behaviors and Juvenile Delinquency

Developmental assets are the building blocks of development that help young people grow-up to be healthy, caring, and responsible persons. It was hypothesized that levels of developmental assets are associated with levels of juvenile delinquency. Relations between variables related to juvenile delinquency were explored using structural equation modeling techniques. The results showed significant direct and/or indirect effects of developmental assets on juvenile delinquency. The relationship among the developmental factors had an effect on thriving behavior and high risk behaviors which are underlying mechanisms of juvenile delinquency. The identification of these predictors of juvenile delinquency can greatly increase the ability to better understand and control delinquent behaviors.