Direct and vicarious violent victimization and juvenile delinquency: an application of general strain theory

Sociol Inq. 2011;81(2):195-222. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-682x.2011.00368.x.

Abstract

Using a national probability sample of adolescents (12–17), this study applies general strain theory to how violent victimization, vicarious violent victimization, and dual violent victimization affect juvenile violent/property crime and drug use. In addition, the mediating effect and moderating effect of depression, low social control, and delinquent peer association on the victimization–delinquency relationship is also examined. Based on SEM analyses and contingency tables, the results indicate that all three types of violent victimization have significant and positive direct effects on violent/property crime and drug use. In addition, the expected mediating effects and moderating effects are also found. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / ethnology
  • Adolescent Behavior / history
  • Adolescent Behavior / physiology
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology
  • Crime Victims* / economics
  • Crime Victims* / education
  • Crime Victims* / history
  • Crime Victims* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Crime Victims* / psychology
  • Criminals* / education
  • Criminals* / history
  • Criminals* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Criminals* / psychology
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Juvenile Delinquency* / economics
  • Juvenile Delinquency* / ethnology
  • Juvenile Delinquency* / history
  • Juvenile Delinquency* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Juvenile Delinquency* / psychology
  • Research Design*
  • Social Behavior / history
  • Social Conditions / economics
  • Social Conditions / history
  • Social Conditions / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Social Control Policies / history
  • Social Responsibility
  • Violence* / economics
  • Violence* / ethnology
  • Violence* / history
  • Violence* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Violence* / psychology