The characteristics of delinquent behavior and predictive factors in Japanese children's homes

•We examined prevalence of delinquent behavior and predictive factors in Japanese Children's Homes.•Of all children, 28.1% showed some form of delinquent behavior.•Delinquent behavior group had serious internalizing and externalizing problems•Physical abuse, thought problems, and attention problems were significant risk factors.

The purpose of this study was to examine the risk factors of delinquent behavior in children's homes in Japan and the co-occurrence of externalizing problem behavior and internalizing problem behavior. Eight hundred and nine children (436 boys, 373 girls were recruited from such homes. Childcare workers from these homes completed sets of questionnaires. Our results found significant relationships between delinquent behavior and gender [odds ratio (OR) = 1.66; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.16–2.38], age (OR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.16–1.35), parent–child conflict (OR = 2.79; 95% CI, 1.45–5.36), neglect (OR = 1.43; 95% CI, 1.03–2.11), and aggressive behavior (OR = 1.10; 95% CI, 1.08–1.12). Results also showed externalizing problem behaviors and internalizing problem behaviors were associated with age (OR = 1.23; 95% CI, 1.08–1.41), thought problems (OR = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.17–1.59), attention problems (OR = 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02–1.23), and physical abuse (OR = 3.09; 95% CI, 1.64–5.83). Our study clarifies the predictive factors for delinquency and related internalizing behavior symptoms and externalizing behavior problems. These results indicate that children in children's homes have various problems and require multilevel intervention. Our findings may be used to improve current policies governing children's homes.