Trait-Based Explanations of the Victim/Offender Overlap

Citation

Joyner-Carpanini, Bridget & Beaver, Kevin M. (2024). Trait-Based Explanations of the Victim/Offender Overlap. Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology.

Abstract

The link between victimization and offending has been one of the most consistently revealed associations in criminology. Despite the wealth of literature produced on this topic, much still remains unknown, particularly from a developmental perspective. The current study expands on previous developmental research by examining whether low self-control, Machiavellianism, and callous-unemotional traits significantly distinguish victims or offenders from those who identify as both. To do so, we use data drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). The analyses demonstrated that displaying high levels of low self-control and Machiavellianism differentiate victims from those who are victims and offenders. However, none of the investigated traits distinguished offenders from the overlap group. Additionally, the results were revealed to not be dependent upon the biological sex of the sample. We conclude by discussing the implications of the results of this study for future theory development and research.

URL

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40865-024-00250-9

Keyword(s)

Victim/offender Overlap

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology

Author(s)

Joyner-Carpanini, Bridget
Beaver, Kevin M.

Year Published

2024

Edition

February 21, 2024

ISSN/ISBN

2199-465X

DOI

10.1007/s40865-024-00250-9

Reference ID

10323