Juvenile Behavior Research Articles

International comparison of manifestations and tendencies of registered juvenile delinquency in Lithuania

In the article manifestations of registered juvenile delinquency, its‘ structure and tendencies in Lithuania are analyzed, Lithuanian indicators are also compared with the indicators of other European countries. The comparative study shows large differences in registered juvenile delinquency, which are primarily determined by different scopes of criminalization of delinquency, different intensity of formal control, as well as different rules for registering juvenile delinquency. The absolute indicators of registered juvenile criminal offences in Lithuania have been decreasing for the past two decades, and the relative indicators of registered juvenile criminal behavior have also been consistently decreasing for the last five years. 2020–2021 the number of administrative offenses committed by minors in Lithuania also decreased, which is primarily associated with restrictions in public life introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Serious violent crimes by minors, characterized by low latency, are often widely described in the media, and constitute a small part of the structure of crimes committed by minors in Lithuania, and the number of murders is consistently decreasing – in 2021 it was the smallest during the entire period of independent Lithuania – only one murder was registered. After completing this study, it can be said that the indicators of registered juvenile delinquency compared to other countries should be seen first of all as an output of the juvenile behavior control mechanisms operating in each country, which tells little about the real extent of juvenile delinquency. The minor juvenile delinquency is more latent and its rates should be first evaluated. Cases of serious delinquency are characterized by a much lower latency, but in this case too, in order to compare registered delinquency, it is necessary to simultaneously assess complex differences in criminal prosecution between countries.

Ranavirus infection-induced avoidance behaviour in wood frog juveniles: do amphibians socially distance?

Hosts may limit exposure to pathogens through changes in behaviour, such as avoiding infected individuals or contaminated areas. Here, we tested for a behavioural response to ranavirus infection in juvenile wood frogs (<i>Rana sylvatica</i>) because the majority of dispersal between populations occurs during this life stage. We hypothesized that if infections are transmissible and detectable at this life stage, then susceptibles would display avoidance behaviours when introduced to an infected conspecific. Despite no apparent signs of infection, we observed a greater distance between susceptible-infected pairs, compared to pairs of either two infected or two susceptible animals. Further, distances between susceptible-infected pairs were positively related to the infection intensity of the focal exposed frog, suggesting the cue to avoid infected conspecifics may become more detectable with more intense infections. Although we did not quantify whether the transmission was affected by their distancing, our findings suggest that juvenile frogs have the potential to reduce terrestrial transmission of ranaviruses through avoidance behaviours.

Neuroendocrine correlates of juvenile amphibian behaviors across a latitudinal cline

We assessed the macrogeographic and neuroendocrine correlates of behavioral variation exhibited by juveniles, an important life stage for dispersal, across the expansive range of the wood frog. By rearing animals from eggs in a common garden then using a novel environment test, we uniquely demonstrated differential expression of juvenile behaviors among 16 populations spanning 8° latitude. On the individual level, cluster analysis indicated three major behavior profiles and principal component analysis resolved four unique axes of behavior, including escape, foraging, food intake, feeding efficiency. We found that increased escape behavior was associated with lower adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-induced circulating corticosterone (CORT) levels, however, foraging and food intake behaviors were not associated with either resting or ACTH-induced CORT. At the population level, the expression of foraging behaviors increased with latitude while food intake behaviors declined with latitude, which raised several hypotheses of eco-evolutionary processes likely driving this variation. Given that these behaviors covary along the same ecological gradient as locally adapted developmental traits, genomic studies in this species could provide deep insights into how HPA/I activity is associated with the eco-evolutionary processes that structure intraspecific variation in morphology and behavior.

Activity vs exploration: Locomotion in a known and unknown environment differs in Atlantic cod juveniles (Gadus morhua)

Individuals within a population often behave differently and these differences can be consistent over time and/or context, also termed “animal personality”. Animal personality has been commonly classified into five axes with studies aiming to validate these axes. One subject that has surprisingly not received full attention yet is the difference between the two personality axes “activity” and “exploration-avoidance”, i.e. behaviour in a known vs an unknown environment. Despite this clear difference in definition, many studies measure activity in an unknown environment and term it activity, while underlying motivations between the two environments are different.This study aimed to detect the two personality traits “activity” and “exploration” in Atlantic cod juveniles, and to investigate whether they support the distinctive definitions proposed by previous authors. This study showed significant consistency in locomotion variation in both environments, i.e. personality. In addition, the two environments clearly elicited different behaviours; Atlantic cod juvenile behaviour was more repeatable and they moved more in the known vs the unknown environment, and no correlation of the proportional locomotion between the two was found. This demonstrates that locomotion in both environments, i.e. the personality axes “activity” and “exploration”, should not be confused nor treated as if they reflect the same personality trait.

Growth and foraging behavior of hatchery propagated long-spined sea urchins, Diadema antillarum: Implications for aquaculture and restocking

Stocking hatchery propagated long-spined sea urchins Diadema antillarum is a priority option for recovery of this keystone herbivore on Caribbean reefs. However, information on captive culture of D. antillarum is very limited due to historical lack of successful juvenile production from gametes in the hatchery. In this study, hatchery propagated D. antillarum juveniles were cultured using two diets, commercially available herbivore pellets and dried nori, with the presence/absence of stony coral Acropora cervicornis skeleton to understand how diet and habitat complexity affect growth and behavior of juveniles. Juvenile urchin growth, and the diel pattern of feeding and foraging behavior were significantly affected by diet type. Juveniles fed dried nori gained significantly higher live weight and test diameter than those fed herbivore pellets. Juvenile urchins displayed nocturnal feeding and foraging behavior irrespective of diet types and presence/absence of coral structure. Presence/absence of coral structure did not affect growth and diel pattern of feeding and foraging behavior, but modulated habitat usage patterns. Survival of juveniles was neither affected by diet types nor the presence/absence of coral structure. This study concludes that dried nori is a superior diet to herbivore pellets for juvenile urchin culture. Since the presence of coral structure influenced habitat usage patterns, provision of rugose structure in captivity has the potential to convey the innate shelter seeking behavior of juvenile urchins.

Temperament and Offending Behaviors in Male Adolescents.

The aim of the current paper was to examine temperament profiles and temperament dimensions as risk factors for persistent criminal behavior in juveniles who offended (JOs). A sample of 137 male adolescents from a Swiss detention center and 137 age and sex matched community controls were included in the present study. Temperament was measured with the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI). Using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA), three temperament profiles were found, a "moderate," an "adventurous-disinhibited" (higher levels of novelty seeking, lower levels of harm avoidance, reward dependence, and persistence), and a "worried-passive" profile (higher levels of harm avoidance, low persistence). None of the profiles and dimensions were associated with detention sample (i.e., JO) status. In JOs, the "novelty seeking" scale predicted recidivism after release from detention even when controlling for other covariates. Further research should address temperament profiles and temperament dimensions in larger samples of JOs to elaborate their relation to previous and future offending behavior.

International Comparison of Manifestations and Tendencies of Latent Juvenile Delinquency in Lithuania

Juvenile delinquency is a universal phenomenon inherent in the process of biological and social maturation characterized by high latency. Although juvenile delinquent behaviour, due to its spontaneity and recklessness, is easily noticeable and not difficult to investigate, it is often not officially recorded because it is primarily addressed through means of informal social control. Various studies show that children from disadvantaged backgrounds are much more likely to fall into a network of formal social control. Thus, the registered juvenile delinquency not only makes up a very small part of the total juvenile delinquency but its structure and socio-demographic indicators of the accused are also distorted by the selectivity and stigmatization of social control. However, when analysing juvenile delinquency in Lithuania, it is still common to present only the number of registered cases, to analyse them, draw certain conclusions based on them alone, and even develop preventative juvenile delinquency programs. This situation is partly due to the Soviet tradition, which still significantly impacts the general approach to criminal behaviour, in which the latency of criminal behaviour was considered not as a natural and inevitable but a negative and to be destroyed phenomenon. On the other hand, there are few studies of latent juvenile delinquency in Lithuania. They are carried out irregularly according to different methodologies and do not always cover the full complexity of juvenile delinquency. In the article manifestations of latent juvenile delinquency, its’ structure and tendencies in Lithuania are analyzed, Lithuanian indicators are also compared with the indicators of other European countries. Despite some differences in the structure of juvenile delinquency between countries, it can be argued that delinquent behavior is common among juveniles living in all countries, and is usually mild and episodic. According to the analyzed indicators, Lithuania stands out with one essential difference – frequent bullying among secondary school students in all age groups.

KOMUNIKASI INTERPERSONAL ANTARA GURU DENGAN SISWA DALAM KEGIATAN PEMBELAJARAN DI SMK N 1 MUARA BUNGO

Juvenile delinquency and deviant behavior is a social phenomenon that often occurs in society. From a theoretical point of view, juvenile delinquency is the cause of failure in self-control. They may fail to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behavior by the surrounding community. This research uses. qualitative research method with a case study approach. The result of this study is that the communication carried out by the BK teacher in tackling the delinquency of students at SMK N 1 Muara Bungo is very effective between teachers and their students. This interpersonal communication is very helpful as an intermediary in finding problems and finding solutions to a problem that is being faced by the students. Coupled with the classical approach taken by BK teachers in approaching these students in making it easier for them to reduce problems in education. The existence of a social penetration theory can actually be more intimate between students who have problems with the BK teacher. So the final result of this research is that between teachers and students they grow closer to each other along with the ongoing process of intense interpersonal communication.

Professional engagement: A comprehensive understanding of social work intervention for juvenile offenders

Juvenile offenders’ engagement in their social insertion process is increasingly considered essential for achieving the desired outcome of sanction programs and modifying juvenile criminal behavior. However, the professionals who work with juvenile offenders do not have defined concepts or an intervention tool. This study sought to introduce a strengths orientation to this area and investigated how the concept of engagement is defined by professionals and juvenile offenders. Twenty-four semistructured interviews were conducted with probation officials and prison professionals, and three focus groups were conducted with juvenile offenders serving sentences. The findings show that the concept of engagement differs among professionals. Nevertheless, the participants proposed common concepts of positive and negative engagement.

Childhood abuse and juvenile offenders' aggressive behavior: Selfesteem and self-control as mediators

We explored the impact of experiencing childhood abuse on exhibiting aggressive behavior, and the mediating roles of self-esteem and selfcontrol in this relationship. Participants were 425 male juvenile offenders at two prisons in China, who completed the Childhood Abuse Questionnaire, the Self-Esteem Scale, the Self-Control Scale, and the Aggression Questionnaire. As we had predicted, the chain mediating effect of self-esteem and self-control on the relationship between childhood abuse and aggressive behavior was significant. The findings benefit our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between childhood abuse and aggressive behavior among juvenile offenders.

Dietary Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) Exposures in Juvenile Zebrafish Produce Subtle Behavioral Effects across Generations.

Ubiquitous anthropogenic contaminants of concern, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are frequently detected in the environment and human populations around the world. Diet is a predominate route of human exposure, and PFAS are frequently measured in food. Manufacturing trends have shifted from legacy PFAS to shorter-chain alternatives that are suggested to be safer, such as perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA). However, the current amount of data to support safety assessments of these alternatives is not yet sufficient. The present study investigated the effects of a 42-day dietary exposure to 1, 10, or 100 ng/g PFHxA in juvenile zebrafish. The zebrafish model was leveraged to interrogate morphometrics, fecundity, and numerous behavior endpoints across multiple generations. Dietary PFHxA exposure did not result in measurable body burden and did not affect growth, fecundity, adult social perception behavior, or associative learning. PFHxA exposure did induce abnormal adult anxiety behaviors in the F0 generation that persisted transgenerationally in the F1 and F2. Abnormal larval and juvenile behavior was observed in the F1 generation, but not in the F2. PFHxA juvenile dietary exposure induced subtle and multigenerational behavior effects that warrant further investigation of this and other alternative short-chain PFAS.

Which Risk Factors Plays the Most Critical Role for Delinquent Behavior? Examining Integrated Cognitive Antisocial Potential Theory

Some developmental criminologists have focused on the influence of risk factors in an early stage of one’s life to explain criminal behavior and provide catered intervention. However, relatively less attention has been made to situational risk factors in developmental criminology. Recently, the Integrated Cognitive Antisocial Potential theory (ICAP) argued that both long-term antisocial potential and short-term situational factors influence one’s criminal behavior. This study formulated hypotheses derived from ICAP and tested these hypotheses using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. The findings indicate that delinquent behavior and substance use of juveniles are related to both long-term risk factors (parent substance use or food insecurity) and situational factors (delinquent peer).

School Finance Reforms and Juvenile Crime

Abstract Several states initiated school finance reforms during the post-1990s, commonly named the “adequacy” era, with the primary purpose of providing adequate funding for low-income school districts. This article uses the space–time variation in court-ordered reforms in this period as shocks to school spending and investigates its effects on juvenile arrest rates and risky behaviors. Using a 2SLS-DDD approach and a wide range of data sets, I find that exposure to reform reduces the juvenile arrest rates, increases the likelihood of high school graduation, increases the time spent on educational activities, and reduces risky behaviors at schools. A 10$\%$ rise in real per-pupil spending is associated with 7.4 fewer arrests per 1,000 in the population aged 15–19. This rise is equivalent to a reduction of roughly 90,806 arrests annually. It also implies a minimum of 20$\%$ return in school spending due to the avoided costs of deterred crimes.

RESOCIALIZATION OF JUVENILE CRIMINALS IN EDUCATIONAL AND CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS

There are many causes that lead to juvenile delinquency, and sanctioning such deviant behavior is mostly reduced to alternative measures, police warning and making educational recommendations. If juveniles continue to commit criminal offenses, criminal sanctions in the form of educational measures, sentences of juvenile imprisonment and security measures shall be imposed. Unfortunately, many educational measures aimed at correcting the behavior of juveniles often fail to return the juvenile offender to the right path, but they opt for crime as a profession and look for role models in older and more experienced criminals, which greatly complicates the process of resocialization. Resocialization is a complex process whose success depends on the realization of institutional re-educational treatment. The aim of this paper is to point out how and in what way re-educational treatment is conducted with juvenile offenders and how much its effects are reflected in the success of the re-socialization of juvenile offenders who are in correctional facilities. In this paper, we will point out the numerous difficulties that hinder the implementation of institutional re-educational treatment, as well as the need for more efficient post-penal treatment in order for resocialization itself to be as successful as possible.

The Legal Awareness of Juveniles in Archipelagic Areas Using Social Media

This research aims to determine the legal awareness of juveniles in archipelagic areas using social media. This type of research is empirical legal research. The data was collected using a questionnaire and direct interviews. The data obtained in this research were then analyzed descriptively qualitatively with a sociological juridical approach to conclude the research's object. The results show that most of the legal awareness of juveniles in archipelagic areas is still low using social media. In this case, most juveniles do not know (54%) and do not understand (66%) on regulations for using social media. In addition, most behaviors of juveniles have violated (72%) of the regulations for using social media. Therefore, it is recommended for parents, teachers, and law enforcement officers to provide assistance and education to juveniles in using social media. In addition, law enforcement and local government officials can involve the participation of the community to be more intense in conducting legal counseling for juveniles. In this case, juveniles in archipelagic areas will have more legal awareness and comply with laws and regulations in the future.

Ontogenetic changes to metacarpal trabecular bone structure in mountain and western lowland gorillas.

The trabecular bone morphology of adult extant primates has been shown to reflect mechanical loading related to locomotion. However, ontogenetic studies of humans and other mammals suggest an adaptive lag between trabecular bone response and current mechanical loading patterns that could result in adult trabecular bone morphology reflecting juvenile behaviours. This study investigates ontogenetic changes in the trabecular bone structure of the third metacarpal of mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei; n = 26) and western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla; n = 26) and its relationship to expected changes in locomotor loading patterns. Results show that trabecular bone reflects predicted mechanical loading throughout ontogeny. Bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness and trabecular number are low at birth and increase with age, although degree of anisotropy remains relatively stable throughout ontogeny. A high concentration of bone volume fraction can be observed in the distopalmar region of the third metacarpal epiphysis in early ontogeny, consistent with the high frequency of climbing, suspensory and other grasping behaviours in young gorillas. High trabecular bone concentration increases dorsally in the epiphysis during the juvenile period as terrestrial knuckle‐walking becomes the primary form of locomotion. However, fusion of the epiphysis does not take place until 10–11 years of age, and overall trabecular structure does not fully reflect the adult pattern until 12 years of age, indicating a lag between adult‐like behaviours and adult‐like trabecular morphology. We found minimal differences in trabecular ontogeny between mountain and western lowland gorillas, despite presumed variation in the frequencies of arboreal locomotor behaviours. Altogether, ontogenetic changes in Gorilla metacarpal trabecular structure reflect overall genus‐level changes in locomotor behaviours throughout development, but with some ontogenetic lag that should be considered when drawing functional conclusions from bone structure in extant or fossil adolescent specimens.

Behaviour of the Sydney funnel-web spider Atrax robustus over different contexts, time, and stimuli.

Atrax robustus is an iconic Australian spider because the venom can be lethal to humans. Moreover, some of the venom biomolecules have promise as therapeutic and bioinsecticidal leads. Nonetheless, aspects related to the life history and behaviour of this species, which might influence changes in venom components, have been overlooked. We assessed different behavioural traits (antipredator behaviour, defensiveness and activity) of juveniles and adult females across different contexts (predation, conspecific tolerance and exploration of a new territory) and stimuli (puff of air versus prod) over time. Adults responded to a puff of air faster than juveniles, but in response to a prod, both juveniles and adults become more defensive over time. No differences were observed between adults and juveniles for conspecific tolerance and exploration. Understanding behaviour of venomous species is important because behaviours may affect physiological traits, such as venom, and the ability of spiders to adapt to different conditions.

Belowground Chemical Interactions: An Insight Into Host-Specific Behavior of Globodera spp. Hatched in Root Exudates From Potato and Its Wild Relative, Solanum sisymbriifolium.

Understanding belowground chemical interactions between plant roots and plant-parasitic nematodes is immensely important for sustainable crop production and soilborne pest management. Due to metabolic diversity and ever-changing dynamics of root exudate composition, the impact of only certain molecules, such as nematode hatching factors, repellents, and attractants, has been examined in detail. Root exudates are a rich source of biologically active compounds, which plants use to shape their ecological interactions. However, the impact of these compounds on nematode parasitic behavior is poorly understood. In this study, we specifically address this knowledge gap in two cyst nematodes, Globodera pallida, a potato cyst nematode and the newly described species, Globodera ellingtonae. Globodera pallida is a devastating pest of potato (Solanum tuberosum) worldwide, whereas potato is a host for G. ellingtonae, but its pathogenicity remains to be determined. We compared the behavior of juveniles (J2s) hatched in response to root exudates from a susceptible potato cv. Desirée, a resistant potato cv. Innovator, and an immune trap crop Solanum sisymbriifolium (litchi tomato – a wild potato relative). Root secretions from S. sisymbriifolium greatly reduced the infection rate on a susceptible host for both Globodera spp. Juvenile motility was also significantly influenced in a host-dependent manner. However, reproduction on a susceptible host from juveniles hatched in S. sisymbriifolium root exudates was not affected, nor was the number of encysted eggs from progeny cysts. Transcriptome analysis by using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed the molecular basis of root exudate-mediated modulation of nematode behavior. Differentially expressed genes are grouped into two major categories: genes showing characteristics of effectors and genes involved in stress responses and xenobiotic metabolism. To our knowledge, this is the first study that shows genome-wide root exudate-specific transcriptional changes in hatched preparasitic juveniles of plant-parasitic nematodes. This research provides a better understanding of the correlation between exudates from different plants and their impact on nematode behavior prior to the root invasion and supports the hypothesis that root exudates play an important role in plant-nematode interactions.

Первый случай гнездования малого волчка Ixobrychus minutus и гибридов I. minutus с I. sinensis на Дальнем Востоке России

In 2007 in the suburbs of Vladivostok we discovered the first nesting settlement of the Chinese bittern Ixobrychus sinensis in the Russian Far East and documented the first reliable case of breeding of the little bittern I. minutus at a distance of about 3,000 km from the boundaries of its main range. In the subsequent years, 2008–2010, one pair of bitterns nested every year in the study area. The colour of the body and the shape of the beak of both partners were largely typical of the little bittern, but there were signs characteristic of the Chinese bittern, which made it possible to identify them as hybrid individuals. For the first time evidence of hybridisation was obtained for species of the genus Ixobrychus. Six nests, 37 eggs and 26 chicks of Chinese bitterns and hybrids were described. Based on the collection material (95 carcasses) and the data of hidden video filming (112 hours), the species and species-specific morphometric parameters of bitterns were determined. In a comparative perspective the morphology and colouration, nesting biology, behaviour of adults and juveniles, and the daily rhythm of heating and feeding nestlings were described in detail. Despite the allopatric distribution (with joint wintering grounds in India) and a clear morphological gap, habitats, phenology and biology of reproduction, behaviour and feeding as well as most types of calls of these species appeared to be largely similar. In the case of dispersal of the little bittern to the east, the above factors can contribute to hybridisation.

Resource heterogeneity but not inbreeding affects growth and grouping behaviour in socially foraging juvenile cichlid fish

Abstract Spatial food distribution determines resource profitability, defensibility and encounter rate of foragers. Clumped food distribution can promote aggressiveness and resource monopolisation, in turn increasing within‐group variation in food intake and growth. However, the effects of food distribution may depend on foraging strategies. Little is known about the impact of spatial food heterogeneity on growth and grouping behaviour in social foragers in the absence of monopolisation. Social foraging is present in many fishes, particularly at early juvenile life stages when fish are especially sensitive to environmental variation. Here, a heterogeneous food distribution may impair foraging success and growth and juveniles may increase sociability to attain social information about food resources. We examined the impact of the spatial distribution of food as well as inbreeding on growth and social behaviour in juveniles of the cichlid fish Pelvicachromis pulcher. Inbred individuals often show poorer performance than outbred individuals (inbreeding depression), but inbreeding effects can be environment dependent. In the experiment, inbred and outbred fish were reared in a split‐clutch design either under homogeneously distributed or spatially clumped food conditions for 8 weeks starting 1 week after juveniles could actively feed. We documented growth and performed a shoaling assay and a sociality test (choice between a large vs. a small shoal) after 6 weeks. Spatial food distribution did not affect within‐group body length variation, but individuals reared under clumped food conditions were smaller. Shoals of the different feeding conditions differed in social behaviour. Shoals of the clumped treatment group showed higher variation in inter‐individual distances compared to shoals of the homogeneous treatment group. Furthermore, focal fish of the clumped treatment adjusted their association preference to the position of the groups' largest individual. We did not find significant inbreeding or environment‐dependent inbreeding effects regarding growth or social behaviour. Our study suggests that a clumped food distribution can impede localisation of food resources and thus growth in juvenile social foragers. Accordingly, in heterogeneous environments, the use of social information may be highly relevant to increase individuals' foraging success potentially explaining orientation on successful foragers, that is, large individuals. Inter‐individual variation in juvenile’s social behaviour may precede variation in food monopolisation capability and in growth emerging at later life stages. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.