April Gile Thomas

Associate Professor of the Practice, Criminal Justice

Bridging developmental science and juvenile justice, Dr. April Gile Thomas studies adolescent development with a focus on risk-taking and problem behavior in youth populations. A unifying goal of her work is to inform practices and policies that improve outcomes for youth within the justice system, including first-time juvenile offenders and those charged with felony-level offenses. Along with addressing policy issues around juvenile sexting, age of majority laws, and juvenile transfer to adult court, Dr. Thomas’s research has examined parental and peer influences on adolescent risk-taking and crime. Her recent studies of the effects of juvenile incarceration and probation on adolescent sleep and social development have been funded by the American Psychological Foundation, the Center for Law and Border Studies, and the National Science Foundation (NSF), which also supported her research on the experiences of adolescents and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Thomas has an extensive record of publications in leading journals covering adolescent behavior, juvenile justice, and developmental psychology, including Journal of Youth and Adolescence, New Criminal Law Review, and Handbook of Criminology.

In addition to her scholarly contributions, Dr. Thomas is actively engaged in community-oriented initiatives such as juvenile reentry planning and the advocacy for raising the age of juvenile court jurisdiction. Prior to joining Boston University Metropolitan College, Dr. Thomas held academic and advisory roles focused on juvenile justice and adolescent development, contributing to interdisciplinary research and program development.

Research Interests

Courses

Scholarly Works

Peer-Reviewed Articles

Thomas, A. G., Fetterman, A. K., Ziencina, A. D., Chlebuch, N., Evans, N. D., and Cavanagh, C. “Comparing justice-involved and community adolescents’ emotional well-being and feelings of social connection during COVID-19: A daily diary study of adolescents’ social contact.” Criminal Justice and Behavior 52, no. 8 (2025): 1241–1259. https://doi.org/10.1177/00938548251336784

Clough, I., and Thomas, A. “The more you know: How adolescent defendant’s age, gender, and psychosocial maturity influences mock jurors’ perceptions.” Crime and Delinquency (2024). https://doi.org/10.1177/00111287241298690

Lavoie, J., Fine, A. D., Thomas, A. G., Frick, P. J., Steinberg, L., and Cauffman, E. “How important is developmental maturity in assessing whether adolescents will share true or false accounts of a first offense in legal interactions?” Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology vol. 9 (2023): 648–669. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40865-023-00238-x

Drozdova, A., Clough, I., and Thomas, A. G. “Age as a curvilinear moderator for parental solicitation and adolescent risk behavior.” Journal of Child and Family Studies vol. 32 (2023): 2737–2747. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02494-9

Thomas, A. G., Drozdova, A., Clough, I., and Fine, A. D. “Adolescents’ and parents’ knowledge of laws pertaining to adolescent sexual behavior: The role of perceived policy fairness on adolescents’ willingness to violate the law.” Youth Justice 23, no. 2 (2023): 140–160. https://doi.org/10.1177/14732254221104640

Bergquist, B., Schmidt, A., and Thomas, A. G. “Adverse childhood experiences and negative outcomes among justice-involved youth: The moderating effects of internal and external protective factors.” Crime and Delinquency 70, no. 4 (2022): 1274–1303. https://doi.org/10.1177/00111287221122756

Barendese, M. E. A., Flannery, J., Cavanagh, C., Aristizabal, M., Becker, S. P., Berger, E., Breaux, R., Campione-Barr, N., Church, J. A., Crone, E. A., Dahl., R. A., Dennis-Tiwary, T. A., Dvorsky, M. R., Dzura, 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., and Pfeifer, J. H. “Longitudinal change in adolescent depression and anxiety symptoms from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Journal of Research on Adolescence 33, no. 1 (2022): 74–91. http://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12781

Drozdova, A. D., Thomas, A. G., Volpert-Esmond. H. I., Steinberg, L., Frick, P. J., and Cauffman, E. E. “Drug use homophily in adolescent offenders’ close friendship groups.” Journal of Youth and Adolescence vol. 51 (2022): 2046–3059. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-022-01637-x

Clough, I., Drozdova, A., Cavanagh, C., and Thomas, A. G. “Adolescents’ adherence to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Child: Care, Health and Development 48, no. 6 (2022): 1052–1061. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.13012

Cavanagh, C., Clough, I., and Thomas, A. G. “Concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic among justice-involved and low-income youth.” Juvenile and Family Court Journal 72, no. 4 (2021): 5–30.
https://doi-org.utep.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/jfcj.12209

Fine, A. D., Thomas, A. G., van Rooij, B., and Cauffman, E. “Age-graded differences and parental influences on adolescents’ obligation to obey the law.” Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology 6, no. 1 (2020): 25–42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40865-020-00134-8

Thomas, A. G., Ozbardakci, N., Fine, A., Steinberg, L., Frick, P. J., and Cauffman, E. “Effects of physical and emotional maternal hostility on adolescents’ depression and reoffending.” Journal of Research on Adolescence 28, no. 2 (2018): 427–437. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12345

Haddock, S., Zimmerman, T., Thomas, A. G., Weiler, L., Krafchik, J., and Fredrickson, G. J. “A qualitative analysis of mentee experiences in a campus-based mentoring program.” Journal of Youth Development 12, no. 4 (2017): 61–80. https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2017.496

Cauffman, E., Donley, S., and Thomas, A. G. “Raising the age: Raising the Issues.” Criminology and Public Policy 16, no. 1 (2017): 73–81. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9133.12257

Cauffman, E., Fine, A., Thomas, A. G., and Monahan, K. C. “Trajectories of violent behavior among females and males.” Child Development 88, no. 1 (2017): 41–54. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12678

Cauffman, E., Monahan, K, and Thomas, A. G. “Pathways to persistence: Female offending from 14 to 25.” Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology vol. 1 (2015): 236–268. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40865-015-0016-z

Thomas, A. G., Monahan, K., Lukowski, A., and Cauffman, E. “Sleep problems across development: A pathway to adolescent risk taking through working memory.” Journal of Youth and Adolescence 44, no. 2 (2014): 447–464. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-014-0179-7

Thomas, A. G., and Cauffman, E. “Youth sexting as child pornography? Developmental science supports less harsh sanctions for juvenile sexters.” New Criminal Law Review 17, no. 4 (2014): 631–651. https://doi.org/10.1525/nclr.2014.17.4.631

Book Chapters and Other Publications

Cauffman, E., Cavanagh, C., Donley, S., and Thomas, A. “A developmental perspective on adolescent risk-taking and criminal behavior.” Review in Handbook of Criminology, edited by A. Piquero (2015).

Research Reports

Wagner, M. R., Reed, K., and Thomas, A. “Virtual courts: A program evaluation for the El Paso Juvenile Probation Department” (2022).

Wagner, M. R., Reed, K., and Thomas, A. “Deferred prosecution: A program evaluation for the El Paso Juvenile Probation Department” (2022).

Academic Conferences

Thomas, A. G., Shulman, E., Clough, I., and Cavanagh, C. “Longitudinal changes in sleep across the pandemic among incarcerated, probation, and never-arrested adolescents.” Data-blitz, American Psychology-Law Society Conference, Philadelphia, Pa., March 16–18, 2023.

Cavanagh, C., Fetterman, A., and Thomas, A. G. “Virtual social contact and well-being among justice system involved youth during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Paper presentation, European Association for Research on Adolescence, Dublin, Ireland, August 25–28, 2022.

Thomas, A. G., Shulman, E., Clough, I., and Cavanagh, C. “Latinx adolescents’ sleep before and across COVID-19: A longitudinal study.” Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico, June 24–27, 2022.

Cavanagh, C., Fetterman, A., and Thomas, A. G. “The role of social contact in well-being among justice system involved youth during COVID-19.” American Psychology-Law Society Annual Meeting, Denver, Colo., March 17–19, 2022.

Cavanagh, C., Fetterman, A., and Thomas, A. G. “The role of social contact in wellbeing among justice system involved youth during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Society for Research on Adolescence Biennial Meeting, New Orleans, La., March 3–5, 2022.

Cavanagh, C. and Thomas, A. “Gun violence and social status among Latinx adolescents.” Paper presentation, American Society of Criminology, Washington, D.C., November 2020 (conference canceled due to COVID-19).

Thomas, A. G., Fetterman, A., and Cavanagh, C. “Waking up on the wrong side of the cell: Exploring sleep quality among incarcerated and non-incarcerated adolescents.” Paper presentation, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Conference, Denver, Colo., June 2020 (conference canceled due to COVID-19).

Thomas, A. G., and Fine, A. “Understanding deterrence through adolescents’ legal knowledge and perceptions of fairness.” Paper presentation, American Psychology-Law Society Annual Conference, Portland, Ore., March 2019.

Thomas, A. G. “Maternal and peer influence on adolescents’ risk behavior.” Paper presentation, Society for Research on Adolescence Biennial Meeting, Minneapolis, Minn., April 2018.

Cauffman, E., Fine, A., Thomas, A. G., and Monahan, K. “Trajectories of violent behavior among females.” Paper presentation, Society for Research on Adolescence Biennial Meeting, Baltimore, Md., March 2016.

Thomas, A. G., and Cauffman, E. “Depression and reoffending among serious delinquents across seven years.” Paper presentation, Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting, Philadelphia, Pa., March 2015.

Thomas, A. G., Monahan, K., Lukowski, A., and Cauffman, E. “Sleep problems across development: A pathway to adolescent risk taking through executive function.” Paper presentation, Society for Research on Adolescence Biennial Meeting, Austin, Texas, March 2014.

Cauffman, E., Monahan, K., and Thomas, A. G. “Pathways to persistence: Female offending from 14 to 25.” Paper presentation, Society for Research on Adolescence Biennial Meeting, Austin, Texas, March 2014.

Thomas, A. G., Cauffman, E., Frick, P., and Steinberg, L. “‘I didn’t do it’: Examinations of first-time juvenile offenders’ false guilty pleas.” Paper presentation, American Psychology-Law Society annual conference, New Orleans, La., March 2014.

Weiler, L., and Thomas, A. G. “Is dropping out contagious? The influence of peers in Adolescence.” Paper presentation, Society for Prevention Research annual meeting, San Francisco, Calif., May 2013.

Thomas, A. G., and Cauffman, E. “A gene-by-environment approach to adolescent substance use: Examining the D4 dopamine-receptor gene (DRD4).” Paper presentation, Society for Research in Child Development biennial meeting, Seattle, Wash., April 2013.

Thomas, A. G., Cauffman, E., Frick, P. J., and Steinberg, L. “Effects of probation officer monitoring on juvenile reoffending: Influence of justice system attitudes.” Paper presentation, American Psychology-Law Society annual conference, Portland, Ore., March 2013

Thomas, A. G., and Youngblade, L. “Parent and peer influences: Their role in predicting adolescent moral judgments and delinquency.” Paper presentation, Society for Research on Adolescence Biennial Meeting, Vancouver, Canada, March 2012.

Youngblade, L., Barrett, K. C., Palermo, F., Bruce, A., Pearson, J., Miller, K., Zimmerman, E., Kelsea, M., Thomas, A. G., and Linke, L. “Improving healthcare literacy in Head Start families: Year 1 results of Project HOME (Healthcare Options Made Easy).” Paper presentation, 138th American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Denver, Colo., November 2010.

Barrett, K. C., Youngblade, L., Palermo, F., Bruce, A., Pearson, J., Zimmerman, E., Wensink, J., Hahn, L., Kelsea, M., Thomas, A. G., Linke, L., Miller, K., and Grant-Boyajian, H. “First year evaluation of Project HOME (Healthcare Options Made Easy), An intervention to help Head Start families understand and better utilize the healthcare system.” Paper presentation, 18th Annual Meeting of the Society for Prevention Research, Denver, Colo., June 2010.

Posters

Thomas, A. G., Cota, C., Porras, P., Rivas, A., and Cavanagh, C. “Do justice-involved juveniles lack social skills? A comparison of social competence and relationship quality among justice-involved and community juveniles.” American Psychology-Law Society, Annual Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico (accepted for presentation, March 13–15, 2025).

Thomas, A. G., Shulman, E., Clough, I., and Cavanagh, C. “Adolescents’ sleep before and across COVID-19: A longitudinal study of Hispanic adolescents living on the U.S.-Mexico border.” Poster presentation, Society for Research on Adolescence Annual Meeting, San Diego, Calif., April 13–15, 2023.

Thomas, A. G., Fetterman, A., and Cavanagh, C. “Waking up on the wrong side of the cell: Exploring sleep quality among incarcerated and non-incarcerated adolescents.” Poster presentation, American Psychological Association Convention, Washington, D.C., August 2020 (conference canceled due to COVID-19).

Thomas, A. G., Haddock, S., Zimmerman, T., Weiler, L., Krafchick, J., and Rudisill, S. “Adolescent first-time offenders’ perspectives on the Campus Corps intervention Program.” Poster presentation, Society for Research on Adolescence Biennial Meeting, Vancouver, Canada, March 2012.

Thomas, A. G., Barrett, K. C., and Youngblade, L. “Understanding the stress experienced by Head Start families: How unmet needs influence parenting efficacy in a diverse population.” Poster presentation, Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting, Montreal, Canada, March 2011.

Youngblade, L., Barrett, K. C., Thomas, A. G., and Miller, K. “Project HOME (Healthcare Options Made Easy): An intervention to improve access to children’s medical homes for Head Start families.” Poster presentation, Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting, Montreal, Canada, March 2011.

Zimmerman, T., Haddock, S., Krafchick, J., Weiler, L., Richards, T., Youngblade, L., Chavez, E., Hurd, C., and Thomas, A. G. “Campus Corps: Service-learning college students mentoring at-risk youth.” Poster presentation, 18th Annual Meeting of the Society for Prevention Research, Denver, Colo., June 2010.

Panels

Doty, J., Thomas, A. G., Docherty, M., and Muraco, J. “In A. D. Fine (Chair), Navigating a difficult job market.” Panel discussion, Society for Research on Adolescence Biennial Meeting, San Diego, Calif., March 20, 2020 (conference canceled due to COVID-19).

Prinstein, M., Telzer, E., Delay, D., and Laursen, B. “In A. G. Thomas (Chair), Methodological challenges and future directions in studying social influence.” Roundtable discussion, Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting, Baltimore, Md., March 2019.

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