JD Data Collection

The Child Behavior Lab collaborates with two juvenile detention centers to study the behavioral and psychological profiles of detained youth. Our research focuses on assessing cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, proactive and reactive aggression, substance use, and general behavioral patterns through structured survey instruments.

The data collected from this ongoing project forms a comprehensive dataset that supports academic publications and contributes to evidence-based discussions about juvenile justice practices. A central aim of the research is to help detention centers identify youth who may be less responsive to positive behavioral support interventions and more likely to experience restrictive measures such as lockdowns and restraints. Ultimately, this work is intended to inform intervention strategies and support the development of targeted resources to better address the needs of high-risk youth in detention settings.