The Interplay of Family Functioning and Impulsivity in Offending Patterns Among Incarcerated Adolescents

This study examined whether family functioning and impulsivity differentiate offense categories or represent shared vulnerability factors among justice-involved adolescents. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two juvenile correctional facilities and included 159 incarcerated male adolescents aged 13–18 years (mean 16.3 ± 1.1). Participants completed a case report form, the Family Assessment Scale (FAS), and the UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale. Offenses were classified as property crimes (42%), crimes against persons (31%), sexual offenses (17%), and drug-related crimes (10%). Substance use was highly prevalent (smoking 86.8%; alcohol 61.0%), and 34.6% had experienced repeat incarceration, most frequently in property and drug-related offenses (p < 0.001). Peer influence was the most commonly reported reason for delinquency (44.7%). Family dysfunction was common across the sample, particularly in domains related to parental involvement and behavioral control with some variation across offense categories. In contrast, impulsivity levels were elevated but did not significantly differ between crime categories. These findings support a shared vulnerability perspective, suggesting that dysfunctional family environments and substance-related risk contexts operate across offenses, while impulsivity may represent a general risk rather than an offense-specific determinant. These results highlight the importance of family-centered and developmentally informed interventions in juvenile justice settings.