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Predictive, concurrent, prospective and retrospective validity of self-reported delinquency
Darrick Jolliffe1, David P Farrington, J David Hawkins
1Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge, 7, CB3 9DT, UK.
Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health : CBMH
|December 5, 2003
Summary
Self-reported offending is a valid measure, particularly for drug offenses, males, and white individuals. Contrary to previous research, self-reports were also found to be valid for black males.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Self-report surveys are a common method for measuring criminal behavior.
- Prior research indicates potential racial disparities in the validity of self-reported offending data, with lower validity suggested for Black individuals compared to White individuals.
- This study addresses these concerns by examining the validity of self-reported offending in relation to official court records.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of self-reported offending data by comparing it with court referral records.
- To determine if the validity of self-reported offending varies across different types of offenses, sexes, and racial groups.
- To investigate the influence of socioeconomic status on the validity of self-reported offending.
Main Methods:
- The Seattle Social Development Project, a longitudinal study, collected annual self-report and court data from 808 youths aged 11–17.
- Data encompassed eight distinct offense categories.
- Analysis involved comparing self-reported offenses and arrests with official court referral data.
Main Results:
- Self-reported offending demonstrated predictive validity for future court referrals.
- Predictive validity was highest for drug offenses, males, and White individuals, and lowest for females and Asian individuals.
- Self-reports of offenses and arrests were most probable among youths with court referrals for drug offenses, males, White individuals, and Black individuals.
Conclusions:
- The validity of self-reported offending is generally high, with notable strengths for drug offenses, males, and White individuals.
- Contrary to previous findings, self-reported offending validity was found to be high for Black males.
- Differences in validity based on sex and race persisted even after controlling for socioeconomic status, and did not appear to stem from police bias.