Longitudinal rates of self-reported delinquency of atrisk and not at-risk high school students

Two hundred and forty nine 12 to 13 year old at risk and not at risk male and female high school students randomly selected from five high schools in the Perth metropolitan area of Western Australia provided self-reported delinquency data for three consecutive years. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed at risk students self-reported significantly more involvement in delinquency at the first data collection point than their not at risk counterparts. Male 12-13 year olds self-reported significantly more involvement in car related crimes, assault, rule infractions, and vandalism compared to their female peers. For some delinquent activities there were significant increases in involvement over time (Motor Vehicle, Drugs, and Public Disorder Offences) while for others (Theft, Rule Infractions, and Vandalism) this was not the case. In the majority of categories of delinquency at risk students self reported significantly higher rates of involvement. Delinquency research has almost exclusively focused on the incarcerated population and those who have misdemeanours officially recorded in the juvenil