Caitlin Cavanagh
- Assistant Professor
- School of Criminal Justice
- PhD 2016, University of California Irvine
- MA 2013, University of California Irvine
- BA 2011, University of Rochester
- 532 Baker Hall
- 655 Auditorium Rd.
- East Lansing, MI 48824
- (517) 353-9752
- caitcav@msu.edu
Links
Biography
Caitlin Cavanagh is an Assistant Professor in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. Broadly, her research focuses on the intersections of psychology and the law, and how social contexts shape adolescent behavior. A developmental psychologist by training, she is particularly interested in the dynamic parent-child relationship. Her program of research seeks to produce developmentally sound research that can improve how the juvenile justice system interfaces with youth and their families.
Current Research
The Crossroads Mothers Study
Crossroads is a multi-site, longitudinal study of first-time adolescent offenders investigating the long-term impacts of formal versus informal processing. The Crossroads Mothers study augments the Crossroads study with interviews with the female guardians of Crossroads youth, as well as official records from Child Welfare Services and the Department of Probation.
The Juvenile Risk Assessment Study
In cooperation with the Ingham County Juvenile Court and Child Protective Services, the Juvenile Risk Assessment Study investigates the predictive validity of risk assessments associated with drug relapse, sexual offending, human trafficking, and more. Longitudinal data on juvenile offending and risk are collected for all youthful offenders in Ingham County.
The Short-Term Detention Study
In cooperation with the Ingham County Youth Center, this study examines the efficacy of various programs within short-term detention in terms of facility safety and youth recidivism. Longitudinal data are collected for every youth who enters the facility, and are linked to risk and recidivism scores collected by the county.
The Adolescent Sleep & Social Development Study
The AS&SD Study examines the extent to which normative adolescent social development and sleep patterns are disrupted by incarceration. The study compares markers of social development and healthy sleep in matched samples of incarcerated youth, youth on probation, and non-arrested youth over the course of three years, and track how social development and sleep corresponds to mental health and re-offending.
Areas of Expertise
- Adolescent Development
- Juvenile Justice
- Families and Social Policy
- Legal Socialization
- Callous-Unemotional Traits
Publications
The Developmental Reform in Juvenile Justice: Its Progress and Vulnerability
Year: In Press Authors: Cavanagh, C., Paruk, J., & Grisso, T. Journal: Psychology, Public Policy, and Law
The Concentric Diagram of Legitimacy: An organizing tool for the literature
Year: In Press Authors: Hamm, J., Wolfe, S., Cavanagh, C., & Lee, S. Journal: Legal and Criminological Psychology
Adolescents’ Perceptions of Physical Development Relative to Peers and Antisocial Behaviors
Year: 2021 Authors: Dalzell, E. & Cavanagh, C. Journal: Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology
Attitudes toward legal actors among dual system youth
Year: 2021 Authors: Cavanagh, C., LaBerge, A., & Cauffman, E. Journal: Journal of Social Issues
Parental incarceration and the mental health of youth in the justice system: The moderating role of neighborhood disorder
Year: 2020 Authors: Kitzmiller, M.K., Cavanagh, C., Cauffman, E., Frick, P., & Steinberg, L. Journal: Psychology, Public Policy, and Law
How do adolescents develop legal cynicism? A test of legal socialization mechanisms among youth involved in the justice system
Year: 2020 Authors: Cavanagh, C., Fine, A., & Cauffman, E. Journal: Justice Quarterly