Dr. Cait Cavanagh
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caitcavanagh.bsky.social
Dr. Cait Cavanagh
@caitcavanagh.bsky.social

Juvenile justice researcher from a developmental psych perspective ▪️ Associate Professor, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University ▪️ Treasurer, Lansing Board of Education

www.TheADJustLab.com
Male POs (but not female POs) rated sexually victimized girls as having more serious personality risks than girls without victimization histories. The effect was marginal because of power issues (few victimized girls were supervised by male officers) but consistent.
January 2, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Also, follow me on Goodreads for some “legendary reviews”*

*journal editors, note that my reviewer skills do not extend outside leisure reading 😉
December 31, 2025 at 4:03 AM
I read 66 books in 2025! I circled my favorites.

What did you enjoy reading this year? I’m looking for recommendations!
December 31, 2025 at 3:59 AM
I had so much fun talking about career path, approach to research, and current projects with the MSU Psychology Club! Plus I honestly got some of the toughest questions I’ve ever gotten in my career— these students are deep thinkers!
October 30, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Happy fall semester from the ADJust Lab!
October 29, 2025 at 12:33 AM
A huge congratulations to the newly-minted DOCTOR @alyssa-laberge.bsky.social!

Alyssa has worked with me for 7 years, first as a master’s student and then as a PhD student. Her growth as a scholar, teacher, and person has been such a joy to witness.

She’s on to a TT position at UW LaCrosse!
July 15, 2025 at 8:12 PM
What’s going on here? A moderation analysis revealed that the iatrogenic association was stronger for youth who entered the court with a low risk of recidivism, as well as for families who did not complete the program.
May 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
The bad news: that success does not happen equally. Risk/needs were reduced significantly less for Black boys vs. white boys and Black girls. Since Black boys are overrepresented at every level of the juvenile justice system, it’s a big problem that their needs in particular aren’t being addressed!
April 24, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The good news: overall, risk/needs decreased significantly from court supervision entry to exit. That means the rehabilitative intervention the court is putting into place are successfully filling gaps for at-risk youth!
April 24, 2025 at 3:06 PM
March for Science 2017 ➡️ Stand up for Science 2025

Hate that we are back here after 8 years, forced to defend the obvious value of funded science. But ready to speak up for the next 80 years because it matters.
March 8, 2025 at 6:28 PM
I’ll be speaking around 1pm. Please join us at the Capitol building from 12-4 this Friday!
March 3, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Michigan friends, I hope you’ll join me at this important event on Friday.
March 2, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Last night, the Lansing Board of Education voted unanimously in favor of a Welcoming Resolution (below).

Lansing schools are incredibly diverse, welcoming students from over 50 countries. How and why they came to us is not our concern; giving them the best possible education is.
February 7, 2025 at 11:02 AM
🙃
January 27, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Happy first day of class, MSU! I’m back in the classroom teaching undergrads for the first time in 5 years, so I was nervous. But the students were highly engaged and I can tell it will be a great class!
January 13, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Roundup of the 57 books I read in 2024! I starred the ones I enjoyed most.

Did you read any of these? What did you think?

What should I read in 2025?
January 6, 2025 at 11:54 PM
A huge congratulations to the newly-minted DOCTOR Morgan Titus! Morgan’s dissertation, a qualitative study of caregivers whose children were part of a specialty court for youth victims of domestic minor sex trafficking, was:
-Thorough
-Nuanced
-Novel
-Compassionate
-Actionable
December 5, 2024 at 7:07 PM
Proudly presenting my cats
November 20, 2024 at 1:35 AM
Our family flew in from three states (MI, SC, and NY) to sing “Take me out to the ballgame” and cheer the Yankees to victory at Wrigley Field! #toyotapinstripepride
November 18, 2024 at 12:12 AM
The manuscript The manuscript
with the additions as I originally
from reviewers wrote it
November 18, 2024 at 12:12 AM
Empty lobby means that’s a wrap on #APLS2024! Sam & I are happy to take your compliments but please direct complaints to next year’s co-chairs 😉

On a serious note, it’s been a privilege to organize my favorite conference and spend it with my favorite people. Until Puerto Rico!
November 18, 2024 at 12:11 AM
The calm before the (fun! Intellectual!) storm at #APLS2024! Glad to have today to settle in and get ready. Attendees, I can highly recommend Mama Por Dios and Joey DTLA, both a short, direct walk from the conference hotel!
November 18, 2024 at 12:11 AM
Just over here combining my two passions of being a school board member and teaching stats by creating this handy chart to prepare for a meeting with the school district’s executive team on how to better track and analyze data. With my cat.
November 18, 2024 at 12:11 AM
Lab stickers have arrived 👀
November 18, 2024 at 12:11 AM
You’re never going to guess how mine came out….
November 18, 2024 at 12:11 AM