Evaluating the Psychosocial Criminogenic Influences on Youth Offending

Youth justice policy in England and Wales frames, understands and responds to youth offending as a result of exposure to psychological and social (psychosocial) 'risk factors' during childhood and adolescence that increase the likelihood of later offending (YJB 2016, 2017; MOJ 2016). The effectiveness of such interventions in preventing offending is evaluated using randomised controlled trials (Sherman, 2009).
This PhD will explore how 'risk factor' approaches, and therefore risk-based youth justice, are problematic for two inter-related reasons. Firstly, such approaches can overlook contextual/structural explanations of crime despite previous criminological research linking context to youth offending (Case, 2018). Secondly, due to their process of randomisation, randomised controlled trials can factor out the contextual influences on intervention effectiveness. The consequent shortfall in understandings of youth offending and effective youth justice responses will be examined through a re-analysis of cognitive behaviour programmes (the most common psychosocial intervention category) using Realist Synthesis methodology.
The Realist Synthesis methodology will involve the identification and analysis of programme theories through both an extensive literature review and workshops with key stakeholders; testing and refining theories; and, finally, producing actionable guidance in collaboration with a stakeholder advisory group, identifying key learning points to inform the design and implementation of improved youth crime prevention interventions locally.