Assessing the Construct Validity of the MPACT-6: Research Brief

As needs assessments are comprised of subscales that include non-observable, latent constructs, the comprehensive assessment of these items and scales is essential. Specifically, to ensure these tools are measuring offender needs as intended, their construct validity must be confirmed. The current project used a multi-level, multi-group analysis of the MPACT with a large, 10-state sample of youth. Building on previous work (see Mei et al., 2022), authors confirmed the dimensionality and reliability of the six MPACT needs domains. Beyond this, the reliability and validity of the ‘Global Needs Factor’ was also confirmed. Here, the ‘Global Needs Factor’ or ‘G-Factor’ represents a weighted combination of all domain scores, assessing youths’ overall needs. This is a substantial advantage for practitioners, seeking to more easily match youth to resources that are likely limited. In particular, agencies without access to criminal history records or non-justice agencies may make use of the MPACT needs tool for case management purposes. Overall, these findings represent a substantial step forward, identifying the MAPCT needs assessment as a reliable and valid tool, across justice stages and states. With this, we encourage contemporary RNA developers to similarly assess the construct validity of their assessments, ensuring safe and reliable application and program guidance

Examining Student-Teacher Relationships in the United States: A Content Analysis Approach

Over the past decade, extensive media coverage has shed light on the prevalence and severity of school victimization more broadly, leading teachers, parents and school administrators to become increasingly concerned. As a result, research on school victimization (e.g., bullying, assault, theft) has received a great deal of attention in hopes to further investigate its prevalence, predictors, and consequences. Less empirical attention, however, has been given to media reports of sexual “relationships” between teachers and students. The current project seeks to address this gap in the extant literature by providing basic descriptive data on these relationships. Specifically, the current analysis will examine recent student-teacher relationship cases that extend over a three-year span (i.e., 2017, 2018, and 2019) across the United States. Findings are intended to inform our limited knowledge regarding the nature of student-teacher relationships

Examining Theoretical Correlates of Recurrent Victimization in Adulthood

Despite the considerable harms associated with exposure to more than one victimization experience, there is a limited understanding of what may increase an individual’s vulnerability to these recurrent experiences. The current study seeks to address this knowledge gap and advance the extant literature on recurrent victimization by examining how relevant theoretical correlates—individual characteristics, lifestyle factors, personality traits, and adverse childhood experiences—may differentiate recurrent victims from non-victims and those who experience single-incident victimization. The current study thus commissioned YouGov to administer a 2022 survey to adults from the general population. Personal victimization was assessed using behaviorally specific language to explore the relationship between theoretical correlates and recurrent victimization experiences. Analyses demonstrate significant differences across theoretical predictors, providing valuable insights into our understanding of what may differentiate recurrent victims from non- and single-victims

Identifying Successes and Barriers in a Child Advocacy Center: An Examination of Five Service Areas

Despite widespread support for coordinated responses to child maltreatment, little research examines the successes and barriers faced by child advocacy centers (CACs). The current study examines perspectives on program operations within a large CAC in the Midwest across 14 focus groups, including both internal CAC staff (N =32) and external agency partners (N = 37). Universal successes and barriers were identified across all service areas. Still, the findings indicate a need to also consider the unique factors affecting each service area. The importance of these findings is discussed for those working in arenas that provide services to youth and families exposed to trauma

Handbook on Inequalities in Sentencing and Corrections among Marginalized Populations

The Handbook on Inequalities in Sentencing and Corrections among Marginalized Populations offers state-of-the-art volumes on seminal and topical issues that span the fields of sentencing and corrections. The volume is a comprehensive and fresh approach to examining sentencing and community and institutional corrections. The book includes empirical and theoretical essays and recent developments on the pressing concerns of persons of traditionally non-privileged statuses, including racial and ethnic minorities, indigenous populations, gender, immigrant status, LGBTQ+, transgender, disability, aging, veterans, and other marginalized statuses. The handbook considers a wide range of perspectives for understanding the experiences of persons who identify as a member of a traditionally marginalized group. This volume aims to help scholars and graduate students by providing an up-to-date guide to contemporary issues facing corrections and sentencing. It will also assist practitioners with resources for developing socially informed policies and practices. This collection of essays contributes to the knowledge base by summarizing what is known in each area and identifying emerging areas for theoretical, empirical, and policy work. This is Volume 7 of The ASC Division on Corrections and Sentencing Handbook Series. The handbooks provide in-depth coverage of seminal and topical issues around sentencing and corrections for scholars, students, practitioners, and policymakers.https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/criminaljusticefacbooks/1022/thumbnail.jp