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
- cavana81@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 Role of Re-Arrests in Juvenile Offenders' and Their Mothers' Attitudes Toward Police
Year: In-Press Authors: Cavanagh, C. & Cauffman, E. Journal: Law and Human Behavior
How Does Juvenile Offending Relate to Mothers' Aspirations and Expectations for Their Sons?
Year: In-Press Authors: Cavanagh, C., Mahler, A., & Cauffman, E. Journal: Journal of Research on Adolescence
The Developmental Course of Psychopathic Features: Investigating Stability, Change, and Long-Term Outcomes
Year: 2018 Authors: Haws, S., Byrd, A., Gonzalez, R., Cavanagh, C., Bechtold, J., Lynam, D., & Pardini, D. Journal: Journal of Research in Personality
The Longitudinal Association of Relationship Quality and Reoffending Among First-Time Juvenile Offenders and Their Mothers
Year: 2017 Authors: Cavanagh, C. & Cauffman, E. Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence
Can Probation Officers Identify Remorse Among Male Adolescent Offenders?
Year: 2017 Authors: Fine, A., Cavanagh, C., Frick, P., Steinberg, L., & Cauffman, E. Journal: Psychological Assessment