Caitlin Cavanagh
- Associate 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
- caitcav@msu.edu
Links
Biography
Caitlin Cavanagh is an Associate 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 Siblings Study
This study investigates the reciprocal impact of juvenile justice system contact on the family unit, particularly the dynamic between arrested and non-arrested near-age siblings.
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
Selected Publications
Sbeglia, C., Randolph, I., Cavanagh, C., & Cauffman, E. (2024). Parental legal culpability in youth offending. Annual Review of Criminology, 7, 1-14.
LaBerge, A., Cavanagh, C., & Cauffman, E., (2024). Juvenile justice- and dual system-involved youth: The role of primary caregiver monitoring habits on juvenile recidivism. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 61(2), 303-332.
Cavanagh, C., Kitzmiller, M. K., Henke, M., & Cauffman, E. (2024). Examining the experience of mothers in justice-involved families during the COVID-19 pandemic: The impact of familial incarceration. Journal of Family Issues, 45 (1), 55-73.
Acland, E., & Cavanagh, C. (2023). Anger, violence, and recidivism in justice system involved youth. Justice Quarterly, 40(2), 241-262.
Kitzmiller, M. K., Hoskins, K., & Cavanagh, C. (2023). Examining sex-based measurement invariance in the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory. Crime & Delinquency, 69(13-14), 2719-2740.
Cavanagh, C., Osuna, A., Liggett-O’Malley, R., Henke, M., & Cauffman, E. (2023). Concerns about COVID-19 among undocumented women in justice-involved families. International Journal of Migration, Health, and Social Care, 19(1), 42-57.
Barendse, M., Flannery, J., Cavanagh, C., Aristizabal, M., Becker, S. P., Berger, E., Breaux, R., Campione-Barr, N., Church, J. A., Crone, E. A., Dahl, R. E., Dennis-Tiwary, T. A., Dvorsky, M., R., Dziura, S. L., van de Groep, S., Ho, T. C., Killoren, S. E., Langberg, J. M., Larguinho, T. L., Magis-Weinberg, L., Michalska, K. J., Mullins, J. L., Nadel, H., Porter, B. M., Prinstein, M. J., Redcay, E., Rose, A. J., Rote, W. M., Roy, A. K., Sweijen, S. W., Telzer, E. H., Teresi, G. I., Thomas, A. G. (2023). Longitudinal Change in Adolescent Depression and Anxiety Symptoms from before to during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 33 (1), 74-91.
Cavanagh, C. (2022). Healthy adolescent development and the juvenile justice system: Challenges and solutions. Child Development Perspectives, 16(3), 141-147.