Revisiting the association between television viewing in adolescence and contact with the criminal justice system in adulthood: A replication and extension

Citation

Schwartz, Joseph A. & Beaver, Kevin M. (2016). Revisiting the association between television viewing in adolescence and contact with the criminal justice system in adulthood: A replication and extension. Journal of interpersonal violence. vol. 31 (14) pp. 2387-2411

Abstract

A substantial number of previous studies have reported significant associations between television viewing habits and a host of detrimental outcomes including increased contact with the criminal justice system. However, it remains unclear whether the results flowing from this literature are generalizable to other samples and whether previously observed associations are confounded due to uncontrolled genetic influences. The current study addresses these limitations using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). The results of the preliminary models, which do not include controls for genetic influences, produced a pattern of results similar to those previously reported in the extant literature. The results of the genetically informed models revealed that the associations between television viewing and antisocial outcomes are not causal, but rather are driven by uncontrolled genetic influences. Further replication is required, but these findings suggest that results drawn from the extant literature may not be trustworthy.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1177%2F0886260515576970

Keyword(s)

adolescence antisocial behavior criminal justice genetic influences television

Notes

1552-6518 Schwartz, Joseph A Beaver, Kevin M Journal article J Interpers Violence. 2015 Mar 27. pii: 0886260515576970.

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Journal of interpersonal violence

Author(s)

Schwartz, Joseph A.
Beaver, Kevin M.

Year Published

2016

Volume Number

31

Issue Number

14

Pages

2387-2411

Edition

March 27, 2015

DOI

10.1177/0886260515576970

Reference ID

7981