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Patterns of intergenerational child protection involvement and young people’s criminal justice contact: Findings from a population-based Australian study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study examined intergenerational patterns of child protection system involvement and subsequent criminal justice system contact up to age ~18 years in a sample of 75,784 Australian young people and their parents. Families were classified into four patterns: ‘cycle maintainers’ (both generations known to child protection), ‘cycle initiators’ (young people only), ‘cycle breakers’ (parents only) and no history of child protection. Prevalence of criminal justice contacts increased across the four intergenerational patterns (no history < ‘cycle breakers’ < ‘cycle initiators’ < ‘cycle maintainers’). Findings highlight the need to understand system involvement as a cumulative, cross-sector process.

Source: Youth Justice

DOI: 10.1177/14732254261495765

Authors: Emma F. McKenzie, Melissa J. Green, Tyson Whitten, Oliver Watkeys, Melissa M. Y. Cheung, Kimberlie Dean, Vaughan J. Carr, Ken Zulumovski, Merran Butler, Stacy Tzoumakis

Institutions: Australian Institute of Criminology, Griffith University, UNSW Sydney, Monash University, NSW Department of Communities and Justice

Language: English

Topic: Child Welfare and Adoption

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650

OpenAlex ID: W7223461372

FWCI:

Cites: 46

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