The effects of homelessness and child maltreatment on the likelihood of engaging in property and violent crime during adulthood

Citation

Cronley, Courtney; Jeong, Seokjin; Davis, Jaya B.; & Madden, Elissa (2014). The effects of homelessness and child maltreatment on the likelihood of engaging in property and violent crime during adulthood. 2014 Add Health Users Conference. Bethesda, MD.

Abstract

Purpose Most published studies examining the adverse effects of homelessness and child maltreatment employ community samples and traditional observational designs. Furthermore, few examine the simultaneous effects of these two risks factors on adult behavior. This study examines how experiencing child maltreatment and homelessness through emerging adulthood predict adult property and violent crime. Methods We used data from Waves 3 and 4 of the US National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N=10,818). Propensity score matching was employed to correct for sample selection bias between homeless and non-homeless individuals. Logistic regression models were run to predict violent and property crime at Wave 4, controlling for child maltreatment. Results Participants who experienced homelessness were 1.6 times more likely to commit violent crime at Wave 4 and almost 30% more likely to commit property crime. Those who were victims of child maltreatment were 15% more likely to commit property crime, but no more likely to commit violent crime. Conclusions In a national sample, comparing statistically equivalent groups, homelessness predicted adult criminality, but child maltreatment showed more variable results. Greater prevention efforts targeting youth at high risk of experiencing homelessness, as well as more intensive outreach services to this population, may moderate reliance on survival behaviors. Results for child maltreatment merit closer examination.

URL

https://addhealth.cpc.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/docs/events/20140613_Add_Health_Users_Conference_Abstracts.pdf

Reference Type

Conference proceeding

Book Title

2014 Add Health Users Conference

Author(s)

Cronley, Courtney
Jeong, Seokjin
Davis, Jaya B.
Madden, Elissa

Year Published

2014

City of Publication

Bethesda, MD

Reference ID

6247