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Sex and age differences in the risk threshold for delinquency
Thessa M L Wong1, Rolf Loeber, Anne-Marie Slotboom
1Faculty of Law, Department of Criminal Law and Criminology, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. thessawong@gmail.com
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
|November 28, 2012
Summary
This study found small sex differences in adolescent delinquency risk thresholds. However, cumulative risk impacts girls
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Criminology
- Adolescent Behavior
Background:
- Understanding sex differences in adolescent delinquency is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous research has identified various risk and promotive factors associated with delinquency.
- The concept of a 'risk threshold' for delinquency requires further investigation across sexes and developmental stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine sex differences in the risk threshold for adolescent delinquency.
- To compare risk and promotive factors for delinquency between boys and girls.
- To analyze how cumulative risk levels predict delinquency differently in adolescent males and females.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal data from the Pittsburgh Youth Study (n=503) and Pittsburgh Girls Study (n=856) were analyzed.
- Risk and promotive factors were identified as predictors of delinquency and nondelinquency.
- Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analyses were used to establish and compare delinquency risk thresholds at different developmental stages (late childhood and adolescence).
Main Results:
- Sex similarities and differences were observed in risk and promotive factors for delinquency.
- ROC analyses indicated only minor sex differences in delinquency risk thresholds, which varied by age.
- Cumulative risk level showed a linear relationship with boys' delinquency but a quadratic relationship with girls' delinquency, suggesting a stronger effect for girls at higher risk levels.
Conclusions:
- While overall delinquency risk thresholds show minimal sex differences, the impact of cumulative risk is more pronounced for adolescent girls.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering sex-specific pathways in understanding and addressing adolescent delinquency.
- Future research should explore the mechanisms underlying the quadratic relationship between cumulative risk and delinquency in girls.
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