Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Jerrod Brown

Abstract

AbstractThe purpose of this quantitative longitudinal correlational study was to examine whether positive social bonds with caring, supportive family, prosocial peers, and spouses/partners were significantly predictive of non-reoffender status using archival data from a sample of female offenders who were under community supervision in the state of Michigan during the years 2011–2014. The study had three interval predictor variables: positive social bonds with family, prosocial peers, and spouse/partner. The dichotomous criterion variable was recidivism (i.e., reoffending within a three-year period). The study sample was 325 female offenders on probation or parole in Michigan during the years of 2011–2014. Most of the participants (76.3%) were on probation, and the sample was mostly White (46.5%) and Black (33.5%) and averaged 33.40 years of age. The majority (80.6%) of participants did not reoffend three years’ post-releases. Binomial logistic regression findings showed that stronger family, peer, and spouse/partner bonds were all significantly predictive of non-reoffender status. The null hypotheses for the three research questions failed to be retained. The study findings may promote positive social change by increasing awareness of the needs of women offenders, which can lead to prison reform and criminal justice efforts.

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