Despite theoretical acknowledgments that peers can be either “good” or “bad” for criminal offending and recidivism, criminological research most often models peers as a criminogenic influence on offending behaviors. To explore the impact of peer relationships and to expand on theoretical conceptualization of peer relationship quality, the current study uses Pathways to Desistance data to examine the effects of peer quality and peer delinquency in recidivism over time among a sample of 1,272 individuals adjudicated during adolescence. Findings from a series of mixed-effects models demonstrate that peer quality is significantly predictive of increased aggressive offending. However, quality mitigates the relationship between peer delinquency and income offending, highlighting a need for further research considering potential protective aspects of peer relationships.

The aim of the current study is to examine the relationship between experiencing arrest and subsequent changes in depression symptoms within the framework of the stress process model. We specifically focus on how this relationship may be impacted by both self-reported racial/ethnic identity and interviewer-perceived skin tone both separately and in combination. We use data from waves I–IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) and our analysis employs ordinary least squares regression models to capture changes in self-reported depression between Waves III and IV. Overall, being arrested is a risk-factor for significant increases in self-reported depression symptoms over time, suggesting that the psychological impact of arrest is so pervasive and detrimental that it significantly affects individuals across all racial/ethnic groups, overriding potential differences in our models. We do not find evidence that darker skin tones or racial/ethnic identity compound the relationship between arrest and depression changes.

This study examines the relationships between prescription opioid pills, unemployment, health insurance, and theft. Covering the years 2006–2012, our data are an aggregate of information from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, and the American Community Survey (ACS). The unit of analysis is time nested within counties. Preliminary results demonstrate that there were approximately 46 prescription opioid pills distributed per person annually in the United States between 2006 and 2012. Multivariate results reveal that counties with higher numbers of prescription opioid pills tend to experience significantly higher patterns of theft. Interestingly, health insurance is positively associated with theft while unemployment appears to protect against theft. The relationship between pills and theft is also conditioned by both unemployment and health insurance. Future research should explore these relationships to better inform efforts at making responsible social policy in the midst of the opioids crisis.

Going beyond the classroom, this study emphasized the well-being and support of educators, shifting focus from the traditional emphasis on students. Leveraging the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) dataset, this study identified preceding factors and salient qualitative themes based on available coroner/medical examiner and police reports of primary and secondary educator suicides in the United States. Factors related to having a job-related problem among educators who died by suicide included the COVID-19 pandemic, age, being male, being married, teaching special education, experiencing depressed mood, financial problems, and/or the presence of criminal-legal problems (n = 1655). Additionally, qualitative themes extracted among those with a job-related problem preceding suicide (n = 136) included conduct-related issues or related investigations, the COVID-19 pandemic, financial strain, teaching-related issues, employment changes, and mental health problems. The findings of this study are connected to self-efficacy theory and teacher identity, and to broader global challenges among educators. We provide policy recommendations based on our findings for this important occupational group.

A well-designed physical environment can contribute to increased safety, health and social cohesion. For people seeking recovery from substance use disorder (SUD), the built environment plays an essential role in overall health and wellbeing by shaping emotional regulation and contributing to a sense of belonging. It is thus important to explore biological and psychological responses to the built environment for those seeking recovery support at a Recovery Community Organization (RCO) or Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP). This research explored the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of RCO/CRP directors related to the One Health framework. More specifically, this study examined perceptions toward integrating One Health-aligned design (OHAD) approaches into built environments, and the extent to which these approaches were being applied. Additionally, the study investigated implementation barriers and design strategy adaptations throughout facilities to meet the diverse needs of individuals within recovery spaces. Findings from the study contribute to a deeper understanding of recovery staff knowledge of and attitudes toward OHAD approaches, as well as the features their organizations offer and barriers to implementation, informing future studies on interior design and architectural layouts in therapeutic environments.