The Mediating Role of Leaving School and Social Support Networks in the Relationship Between the Placement Experiences and Contact With the Criminal Justice System of Youth Aging Out of Care

Studies suggest that some characteristics of placement experiences (instability and group placement) as well as leaving school and lack of supportive networks are associated with criminal justice system involvement. Other studies suggest that these placement experiences can negatively affect the educational outcomes and social support networks of youth aging out of care. It is therefore likely that a lack of social support networks and leaving school mediate the relationship between placement experiences and adult justice involvement. This study aims to examine whether support networks and leaving school during the transition out of placement mediate the relationship between placement experiences and justice system involvement. The results show that the relationship between placement experiences and post-placement criminal justice system involvement is mediated by leaving school but not by social support networks.