Criminological profile of minors who have committed child-to-parent violence.

The rise of CPV cases in the last decade has become a matter of concern among researchers, who have investigated prevalence rates and factors related to this type of behavior. This study aims to analyze the criminological profile of the minors who have committed CPV compared to minors who have committed other type of crimes. The participants were 341 juveniles with a disciplinary record in the Juvenile Court of a Spanish province, whose ages ranged from 14 to 17 years old (M = 15.86, SD = 1.02). The results showed that the CPV group represented a moderate level of recidivism and the comparison group had a low risk of recidivism. The CPV group had mostly committed CPV, while the comparison group had tended to commit property crimes. The CPV group had generally served probation or confinement sentences, while the comparison group had mostly been acquitted or served probation.

Psychometric Properties of the Deviant Behavior Variety Scale in Young Spanish Adults.

BACKGROUND: Deviant behavior is a psychosocial problem that has attracted great interest from both the scientific community and society at large due to its prevalence and negative consequences. Valid, reliable measures of deviant behaviors are critical for providing a better understanding of their causes and outcomes. The central aim of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Deviant Behavior Variety Scale (DBVS) in a sample of young Spanish adults. METHOD: Participants comprised 490 young adults (62.4% female) aged between 18 and 20 years old (M= 18.90; SD= .77). RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analyses yielded a single-factor structure model of DBVS showing, in general, satisfactory or good fit indexes. Moreover, convergent validity was confirmed by assessing correlations between deviant behavior (r = .77) and psychopathy (r = .45), showing that both variables were correlated. Intraclass reliability (ICC) results demonstrated the test-retest reliability of the DBVS, and Kuder-Richardson 20 (KR-20 = .79) showed appropriate internal item consistency. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the Spanish version of DBVS presented promising psychometric properties supporting it is a reliable, valid measure for assessing young adults, involvement in deviant behaviors.

The global impact of adverse childhood experiences on criminal behavior: A cross-continental study.

BACKGROUND: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been associated with a greater risk of later criminal offending. However, existing research in this area has been primarily conducted in Western developed countries and cross-cultural studies are rare. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship between ACEs and criminal behaviors in young adults living in 10 countries located across five continents, after accounting for sex, age, and cross-national differences. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: In total, 3797 young adults aged between 18 and 20 years (M = 18.97; DP = 0.81) were assessed locally in community settings within the 10 countries. METHOD: The ACE Questionnaire was used to assess maltreatment and household dysfunction during childhood and a subset of questions derived from the Deviant Behavior Variety Scale (DBVS) was used to determine past-year criminal variety pertaining to 10 acts considered crime across participating countries. RESULTS: Physical and sexual abuse, physical neglect, and household substance abuse were related to criminal variety, globally, and independently across sexes and countries ranked differently in the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). In addition, three out of five experiences of household dysfunction were related to criminal variety, but subsequent analyses indicate that some forms of household dysfunction only hold statistical significance among males or females, or in countries ranking lower in the HDI. CONCLUSIONS: This research strengthens the finding that there are cross-cultural mechanisms perpetuating the cycle of violence. It also indicates that forms of household dysfunction have an impact on criminal behavior that is shaped by gender and the country's levels of social well-being.

Longitudinal analysis of subjective well-being in preadolescents: The role of emotional intelligence, self-esteem and perceived stress.

Subjective wellbeing has been conceptualized as a person's cognitive and affective evaluation of their life. In this line, life satisfaction and somatic complaints may be outstanding indicators of well-being. The aim of this longitudinal study was to analyze the combined contribution of trait emotional intelligence, self-esteem and perceived stress to well-being. Participants were 381 pupils aged 12-16 years (56.1% female). Hierarchical regression models and a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) were conducted. Trait emotional intelligence, self-esteem and low perceived stress were related in the expected direction to life satisfaction and somatic complaints. Findings support a specific pathway to improve wellbeing in preadolescents.

The Prediction of Youth Recidivism in a Spanish Roma Population by the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI).

Despite the increasing interest in the accuracy of youth risk assessment tools, the amount of research with ethnic minorities remains relatively modest. For this reason, the main goal of this study was to assess the predictive validity and disparate impact of the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) in a Spanish ethnic minority. The participants consisted of 88 Roma youth offenders and 135 non-Roma youth offenders, aged between 14 and 17 years old. Their risk of recidivism was assessed by means of the YLS/CMI Inventory and their recidivism rate was obtained from the Juvenile Justice Department. Results showed that the Inventory presented slightly lower predictive validity for the Roma group. Moreover, Roma juveniles presented higher risk scores and lower strength scores than non-Roma juveniles. These results supported the idea that professionals must therefore be aware of these cultural differences in predictive validity and the existent potentiality for disparate impact.

Psychometric Properties of the Deviant Behavior Variety Scale in Young Spanish Adults / Propiedades Psicométricas de la Escala de Conducta Transgresora en Adultos Jóvenes Españoles

Background: Deviant behavior is a psychosocial problem that has attractedgreat interest from both the scientific community and society at large dueto its prevalence and negative consequences. Valid, reliable measures ofdeviant behaviors are critical for providing a better understanding of theircauses and outcomes. The central aim of the present study was to assessthe psychometric properties of the Deviant Behavior Variety Scale (DBVS)in a sample of young Spanish adults. Method: Participants comprised490 young adults (62.4% female) aged between 18 and 20 years old (M=18.90; SD= .77). Results: Confirmatory factor analyses yielded a single-factor structure model of DBVS showing, in general, satisfactory or goodfit indexes. Moreover, convergent validity was confirmed by assessingcorrelations between deviant behavior (r = .77) and psychopathy (r = .45),showing that both variables were correlated. Intraclass reliability (ICC)results demonstrated the test-retest reliability of the DBVS, and Kuder-Richardson 20 (KR-20 = .79) showed appropriate internal item consistency.Conclusions: This study found that the Spanish version of DBVS presentedpromising psychometric properties supporting it is a reliable, valid measurefor assessing young adults‚ involvement in deviant behaviors.

Antecedentes: la conducta transgresora esun problema psicosocial que ha despertado un gran interés tanto en lacomunidad científica como en la sociedad en general dada la alta prevalenciay sus consecuencias negativas. Así pues, medir de forma válida y fiablela conducta transgresora es fundamental para proporcionar una mejorcomprensión de sus causas y consecuencias. El presente estudio evaluó laspropiedades psicométricas de la Deviant Behavior Variety Scale (DBVS)en una muestra de adultos jóvenes españoles. Método: los participantesfueron 490 adultos jóvenes (62,4% mujeres) con edades entre los 18 y 20años (M= 18.90; SD= .77). Resultados: el análisis factorial confirmatorioevidenció un modelo de estructura unifactorial de la DBVS que mostróíndices de ajuste entre satisfactorios y buenos. Se confirmó la validezconvergente al evaluar las correlaciones entre la conducta antisocial (r =.77) y la psicopatía (r = .45). Los resultados de la fiabilidad intraclase (ICC)evidenciaron la fiabilidad test-retest del DBVS, y el Kuder-Richardson 20(KR-20 = .79) mostró una consistencia interna adecuada de los ítems.Conclusiones: este estudio evidencia que la versión española del DBVSpresenta propiedades psicométricas prometedoras, mostrando que es unamedida fiable y válida para evaluar la conducta transgresora en adultosjóvenes.

The effect of adverse childhood experiences on deviant and altruistic behavior during emerging adulthood / La influencia de las experiencias adversas infantiles sobre la conducta antisocial y altruista en la adultez emergente

BACKGROUND: The experience of coping with negative events in early ages (childhood and adolescence) has consistently been linked to some specific deviant behaviors, such as juvenile justice involvement or persistence in crime. In contrast, very few studies have focused on the link between Adverse Childhood Experiences and altruistic behavior. The objective of this study is to examine the possible influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on the social behavior exhibited in emerging adulthood (specifically deviant and altruistic behavior). METHOD: The study population consisted of 490 young adults between the ages of 18 and 20, with a mean of 18.90 years (SD = .77). All voluntarily completed the following self-report questionnaires: the Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire, the Deviant Behavior Scale, and the Altruistic Scale. RESULTS: Linear regression models found that Adverse Childhood Experiences were strong, positive predictors of deviant behaviors. Moreover, specific Adverse Childhood Experiences (physical abuse for deviant behavior, and emotional neglect for altruistic behaviors) had notable, differential effects. CONCLUSIONS: The prevention or early detection of Adverse Childhood Experiences during childhood could contribute to reducing maladaptive patterns of behavior and to increasing altruistic patterns during emerging adulthood

ANTECEDENTES: sufrir experiencias negativas durante la infancia se ha relacionado con comportamientos antisociales, como la implicación en la justicia juvenil o la persistencia en el crimen. Sin embargo, en comparación con la conducta antisocial, muy pocos estudios se han enfocado en la relación entre las Experiencias Adversas Infantiles y la conducta altruista. Por ello, el objetivo de este estudio es examinar la posible influencia de dichas experiencias en el comportamiento social manifestado durante la adultez emergente (conducta antisocial y altruista concretamente). MÉTODO: la muestra estaba formada por 490 jóvenes con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 20 años, con una media de 18.90 años (DT = .77). Todos completaron voluntariamente los siguientes cuestionarios de autoinforme: Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire, Deviant Behavior Scale y Altruistic Scale. RESULTADOS: los modelos de regresión lineal mostraron que las Experiencias Adversas Infantiles eran fuertes predictoras de las conductas antisociales. Además, había experiencias adversas específicas (abuso físico para la conducta antisocial y negligencia emocional para las conductas altruistas) que produjeron un efecto diferencial y destacable. CONCLUSIONES: la prevención o detección temprana de las Experiencias Adversas durante la Infancia podría contribuir a reducir los patrones de conducta inadaptados y a aumentar los patrones altruistas durante la adultez emergente

The effect of adverse childhood experiences on deviant and altruistic behavior during emerging adulthood.

BACKGROUND: The experience of coping with negative events in early ages (childhood and adolescence) has consistently been linked to some specific deviant behaviors, such as juvenile justice involvement or persistence in crime. In contrast, very few studies have focused on the link between Adverse Childhood Experiences and altruistic behavior. The objective of this study is to examine the possible influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on the social behavior exhibited in emerging adulthood (specifically deviant and altruistic behavior). METHOD: The study population consisted of 490 young adults between the ages of 18 and 20, with a mean of 18.90 years (SD = .77). All voluntarily completed the following self-report questionnaires: the Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire, the Deviant Behavior Scale, and the Altruistic Scale. RESULTS: Linear regression models found that Adverse Childhood Experiences were strong, positive predictors of deviant behaviors. Moreover, specific Adverse Childhood Experiences (physical abuse for deviant behavior, and emotional neglect for altruistic behaviors) had notable, differential effects. CONCLUSIONS: The prevention or early detection of Adverse Childhood Experiences during childhood could contribute to reducing maladaptive patterns of behavior and to increasing altruistic patterns during emerging adulthood.

How to Improve the YLS/CMI? Exploring a Particularly Predictive Combination of Items.

Recidivism risk assessment is central to addressing criminogenic needs among youth offenders. To accomplish this, the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) is worldwide used, but it is long and has limited predictive validity for minority populations. This study presents a particularly predictive combination of seven items that overcomes these limitations. A sample of 430 Spanish youth offenders participated in this study. The YLS/CMI long version was filled out and reconvictions were collected over a 2-year period. Results show that this combination of seven items reduced more than 80% of the inventory and improved the predictive validity, globally and for minorities. The items that were included were related to psychopathic traits and the lack of protective role models. Therefore, this specific combination of YLS/CMI items has considerable higher predictive validity across gender and culture, and may be useful to practitioners in this field.

Emotional and personality predictors that influence the appearance of somatic complaints in children and adults / Predictores emocionales y de personalidad que influyen en la aparición de las quejas somáticas en niños y en adultos

BACKGROUND: Personality and emotional factors may be contributing to the emergence of somatic complaints. The purpose of this study was to analyse the combined contribution of emotional awareness, moods and personality to somatic complaints in children and adults. METHOD: Participants were 1,476 children (M = 9.90 years, SD = 1.27, 52.10% girls) and 940 adults (M = 32.30 years, SD = 11.62, 64% women) who were administered self-reports. Analysis was performed using fuzzy qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), an analytical technique that enables in-depth analysis of how a series of causal conditions contribute to a given outcome. RESULTS: Emotional awareness, moods and personality account for 59% of high levels of somatic complaints in children and 69% in adults. In both samples, interaction between low levels of emotional awareness, high levels of negative moods and low levels of positive mood, high levels of neuroticism and low levels of the other personality factors appear to lead to high levels of somatic complaints (children: raw coverage = .18, consistency = .95; adults: raw coverage = .15, consistency = .97). CONCLUSION: A similar contribution of emotional and personality components was found to explain somatic complaints in children and adults

ANTECEDENTES: la personalidad y los factores emocionales pueden estar contribuyendo a la aparición de quejas somáticas. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la contribución combinada de la conciencia emocional, los estados de ánimo y la personalidad, a las quejas somáticas en niños y adultos. MÉTODO: los participantes fueron 1.476 niños (M = 9.90 años, DT = 1.27, 52.10% niñas) y 940 adultos (M = 32.30 años, DT = 11.62, 64% mujeres) y completaron auto-informes. Se utilizó fuzzy qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), una técnica analítica que permite un análisis en profundidad de cómo una serie de condiciones causales contribuyen a un resultado dado. RESULTADOS: la conciencia emocional, los estados de ánimo y la personalidad explican el 59% de los altos niveles de quejas somáticas en niños y el 69% en adultos. En ambos, la interacción entre bajos niveles de conciencia emocional, altos niveles de estados de ánimo negativos y bajos niveles de estados de ánimo positivos, altos niveles de neuroticismo y bajos niveles de los otros factores de personalidad, parecen conducir a altos niveles de quejas somáticas (niños: raw coverage = .18, consistency = .95; adultos: raw coverage = .15, consistency = .97). CONCLUSIÓN: se encontró una contribución similar de los componentes emocionales y de personalidad a la explicación de las quejas somáticas en niños y adultos

Emotional and personality predictors that influence the appearance of somatic complaints in children and adults.

BACKGROUND: Personality and emotional factors may be contributing to the emergence of somatic complaints. The purpose of this study was to analyse the combined contribution of emotional awareness, moods and personality to somatic complaints in children and adults. METHOD: Participants were 1,476 children (M= 9.90 years, SD= 1.27, 52.10% girls) and 940 adults (M= 32.30 years, SD= 11.62, 64% women) who were administered self-reports. Analysis was performed using fuzzy qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), an analytical technique that enables in-depth analysis of how a series of causal conditions contribute to a given outcome. RESULTS: Emotional awareness, moods and personality account for 59% of high levels of somatic complaints in children and 69% in adults. In both samples, interaction between low levels of emotional awareness, high levels of negative moods and low levels of positive mood, high levels of neuroticism and low levels of the other personality factors appear to lead to high levels of somatic complaints (children: raw coverage = .18, consistency = .95; adults: raw coverage = .15, consistency = .97). CONCLUSION: A similar contribution of emotional and personality components was found to explain somatic complaints in children and adults.

Sociodemographic variables, risk factors, and protective factors contributing to youth recidivism / Variables sociodemográficas, factores de riesgo y factores de protección determinantes en la reincidencia juvenil

Background: This study explores the predictive capabilities of sociodemographic characteristics and risk and protective factors for youth recidivism while comparing two analytical methodologies; logistic prediction models and qualitative comparative analysis models. Methods: information from the judicial files of 389 young offenders (14-19.03 years) were gathered from the Juvenile Court and risk and protective factors were extracted from the administration of the Youth Level Service/Case Management Inventory. Recidivism data was also obtained for a follow-up period of two years for each young person. Results: the results showed two different profiles of reoffenders. Most were young boys with high risk scores and low protective factors, but a minority were young foreign girls with crimes against persons and low protective factors. Conclusions: being able to detect the different variables that contribute to recidivism can help implement prevention programs tailored to the criminogenic needs of each specific profile

Introducción: este estudio tiene como objetivo explorar las capacidades predictivas de las variables sociodemográficas, los factores de riesgo y los de protección en la reincidencia de menores infractores, comparando dos metodologías analíticas: modelos de regresión logística y modelos de análisis cualitativos comparativos. Método: los participantes fueron 389 menores infractores (14-19,3 años) del Juzgado de Menores, a los cuales se les administró el Youth Level Service/Case Management Inventory. Se obtuvieron datos sobre la reincidencia en un período de seguimiento de dos años para cada participante. Resultados: se encontraron dos perfiles diferentes de reincidentes, la mayoría eran varones jóvenes con puntuaciones altas en factores de riesgo y bajas en factores de protección. Por el contrario, se halló una minoría de jóvenes extranjeras con delitos contra las personas y escasos factores de protección. Conclusiones: detectar las diferentes variables que contribuyen a la reincidencia puede ayudar a implementar programas de prevención adaptados a las necesidades criminógenas de cada perfil específico

Sociodemographic variables, risk factors, and protective factors contributing to youth recidivism.

BACKGROUND: This study explores the predictive capabilities of sociodemographic characteristics and risk and protective factors for youth recidivism while comparing two analytical methodologies; logistic prediction models and qualitative comparative analysis models. METHODS: information from the judicial files of 389 young offenders (14-19.03 years) were gathered from the Juvenile Court and risk and protective factors were extracted from the administration of the Youth Level Service/Case Management Inventory. Recidivism data was also obtained for a follow-up period of two years for each young person. RESULTS: the results showed two different profiles of reoffenders. Most were young boys with high risk scores and low protective factors, but a minority were young foreign girls with crimes against persons and low protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: being able to detect the different variables that contribute to recidivism can help implement prevention programs tailored to the criminogenic needs of each specific profile.

Evolution of recidivism risk using the YLS/CMI in Spanish serious reoffenders.

Juvenile recidivism risk assessment can be used to explore the specific risk factors that lead minors to commit crimes. The majority of minors have a limited relationship with the judicial system, but a few reoffend into adulthood. The aims of this study are to examine serious reoffenders' criminal trajectories and explore youth and adult recidivism. The participants comprise 260 juveniles aged from 14 to 18 years (M = 16.5, SD = 1.0) with a disciplinary record in the juvenile court of a Spanish province, who were sentenced to educational measures involving probation and confinement to a juvenile detention centre. Youth and adult recidivism was recorded over a follow-up period lasting from 1.5 to 6 years. The results show a profile of serious reoffenders with a moderate level of recidivism risk that increases during the follow-up period. Crimes against property were the most frequently committed, and juveniles who begin their criminal trajectories with this type of crime tend to reoffend into adulthood.

Development of Emotional Skills in Adolescents to Prevent Cyberbullying and Improve Subjective Well-Being.

Bullying behavior alters the way in which students coexist together in the classroom and negatively affects adolescents' well-being. Research highlights the importance of emotional skills in promoting positive youth development and optimal social functioning. Therefore, education in these skills is a potential target for interventions aimed at reducing cyberbullying and promoting satisfaction with life during adolescence. This study analyzes the impact of an emotion education program in adolescents to promote classroom coexistence and well-being. The sample comprised 148 students from 7th and 8th grade of secondary school aged between 12 and 15 years (M age = 12.63, SD age = 0.74; 57% girls). A quasi-experimental design with longitudinal data collection was used in this study with randomized classroom assignment to the experimental group and the control group. The intervention program was based on the emotional intelligence model of Mayer and Salovey (1997). Its objective was to develop adolescents' emotional skills to improve the quality of interpersonal relationships and reduce conflicts between peers, positively influencing coexistence and well-being. The intervention took place in eleven sessions during school hours over a period of 3 months. Participants completed the emotional competence questionnaire, the cyberbullying scale and the life satisfaction scale before (T1), immediately after (T2), and 6 months after the intervention (T3). The results showed that the intervention program reduced victimization and assault via mobile phones and the Internet in T2 and T3. In the follow-up (T3), the intervention group had enhanced emotional perception and regulation skills and reported an increase in life satisfaction in comparison to the control group. Our findings suggest that implementing classroom intervention programs to develop students' emotional competencies could be beneficial for their subjective well-being and peer coexistence.

The Impact of Juvenile Educational Measures, Confinement Centers, and Probation on Adult Recidivism.

This study aimed to examine the impact of the educational measure of confinement in juvenile detention center versus probation, on adult recidivism. Participants were 264 youths with a disciplinary record in the Juvenile Court ( M = 16.5), who were sentenced to custody in a juvenile closed detention center or to probation. The risk levels were assessed using the YLS/CMI Inventory (Youth Level of Service/Case Management). A follow-up period for studying these two groups into adulthood was carried out to register possible adult recidivism. The results showed that probation was more effective in reducing subsequent adult offences than the deprivation of liberty. The variable risk level also appears to be a significant factor, improving the predictive model of adult recidivism.

Analysis of Violent and Non-violent Versatility in Self-reported Juvenile Delinquency.

Situational action theory (SAT) has emphasized the interaction between individual and social influences on youth crime involvement. In this study, attitudes towards violence, self-control and perception of neighbourhood are tested in order to determine to what extent they predict versatility in violent and non-violent offences. In order to attain this goal, 2309 Belgian youths aged from 12 to 18 years were administered the Self-report Delinquency Questionnaire. When the offences are divided into violent and non-violent versatilities, the results show differences in the factors that predict delinquency; whereas attitudes towards violence and self-control predict all type of offences, the perception of neighbourhood is only a predictive factor for non-violent offences. External and internal factors need to be included in order to predict the widest range of criminal versatility, since committing a crime involves making choices that depend on the perceived alternatives.

Prediction of Recidivism With the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (Reduced Version) in a Sample of Young Spanish Offenders.

Intervention in youth recidivism is critical in helping prevent young people from continuing their criminal career into adulthood, on a life-course-persistent trajectory. Andrews and Bonta attempt to provide an explanation of risk and protective factors using a conversion of the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI), which predicts recidivism. In this study, scores have been obtained from 382 adolescents ( M age = 16.33 years) from the juvenile court, to check the ability of a reduced version of the YLS/CMI, to predict recidivism. The outcome variables for recidivism were examined in the 2-year follow-up period, after their first assessment in the court. The risk factors showed good levels of recidivism prediction. Recidivists obtained significant higher mean total risk scores than nonrecidivists in the reduced ( M = 6.54, SD = 2.44; M = 3.66, SD = 2.85), with areas under the curve (AUCs) ranging from .601 to .857. The factors that emerged as the most discriminative were education/employment, criminal friends, and personality. All the protective factors differentiated between recidivists and nonrecidivists. The results, therefore, showed that this reduced version would be capable of predicting youth recidivism in a reliable way.

The importance of trait emotional intelligence and feelings in the prediction of perceived and biological stress in adolescents: hierarchical regressions and fsQCA models.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the combined effects of trait emotional intelligence (EI) and feelings on healthy adolescents' stress. Identifying the extent to which adolescent stress varies with trait emotional differences and the feelings of adolescents is of considerable interest in the development of intervention programs for fostering youth well-being. To attain this goal, self-reported questionnaires (perceived stress, trait EI, and positive/negative feelings) and biological measures of stress (hair cortisol concentrations, HCC) were collected from 170 adolescents (12-14 years old). Two different methodologies were conducted, which included hierarchical regression models and a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The results support trait EI as a protective factor against stress in healthy adolescents and suggest that feelings reinforce this relation. However, the debate continues regarding the possibility of optimal levels of trait EI for effective and adaptive emotional management, particularly in the emotional attention and clarity dimensions and for female adolescents.

Risk Factors and Youth Recidivism Prediction in General and Property Offenders.

The predictive validity of risk factors for recidivism in general offenders is well known, but few studies have considered specific crimes - such as non-violent property offences - in this context. The prediction of risk factors on recidivism among general and property offenders is analysed in an attempt to capture any motivational differences underlying diverse types of crimes. Subsamples of theft and property damage offenders were extracted from a general population of 210 juvenile offenders aged between 14 and 18 years. All participants were assessed using the Spanish version of the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) and their recidivism rates were evaluated in terms of the number of new records in a 24-month follow-up period. Factors pertaining to the Big Four (especially the antisocial peers risk factor) seem to be the most predictive factors for both general offenders and non-violent property offenders; the type of crime does not seem to make a significant difference to youth offenders' needs.