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INVESTIGATING THE LONGITUDINAL RELATION BETWEEN OFFENDING FREQUENCY AND OFFENDING VARIETY
Kathryn C Monahan1, Alex R Piquero
1University of Washington.
Criminal Justice and Behavior
|December 29, 2009
Summary
This study reveals strong links between the variety and frequency of criminal acts over time, particularly at low and high levels. Risk factors influence how these criminal career dimensions interact.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Developmental Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Longitudinal patterns of criminal offending are key in criminology.
- Previous research has not fully explored the interplay between different dimensions of criminal careers, such as offending variety and frequency.
- Understanding these joint patterns is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the joint relationship between offending variety and offending frequency using trajectory-based methods.
- To investigate how various risk factors influence the covariation between these two dimensions of criminal careers.
- To provide theoretical insights into the development of criminal behavior.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a trajectory-based methodology to analyze longitudinal data.
- Examined a large sample of serious offenders from adolescence to early adulthood.
- Assessed the joint distribution of offending variety and frequency.
Main Results:
- Found strong concordance between low and high trajectories of offending variety and frequency.
- Observed a more modest concordance among moderate rate trajectories for variety and frequency.
- Identified criminal history, individual, parent, and peer characteristics as predictors of concordance differences.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between offending variety and frequency is complex and varies across different levels of offending.
- Risk factors play a significant role in shaping the co-occurrence of offending dimensions.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the theoretical implications for criminal career development.
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