Do Life Course Transitions and Social Bonds Influence Male and Female Offending Differently? Gender Contrasts and Criminality

A longstanding issue facing criminologists is the challenge of developing theoretical models that provide comprehensive explanations of the onset and persistence of criminality among males and females. One promising perspective that has developed in recent years has been life course theory. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, this research explores the question of whether the elements of social development shape the trajectory of persistent offending in a gender-neutral fashion, or are the dynamics shaping life course criminality unique for males and females. The results provide a number of useful insights into the relationship between gender, life course transition factors, and longitudinal patterns of criminality.     

Do Social Bonds Matter for Emerging Adults?

The extent to which social bonds and turning points influence criminal activity has been the focus of much empirical research. However, there have been few empirical studies exploring social bonds and turning points and offending for those who have experienced emerging adulthood, a recently identified stage of the life course. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health we examined if indicators of social bonds and turning points were predictors of criminal offending. Several of the turning points and social bonds included in these analyses were found to influence decreases in criminal offending for a cohort of emerging adults. We extend previous research by examining the influence of social bonds and turning points on patterns of criminal offending during emerging adulthood.     

Intention versus identification as determinants of adolescents’ health behaviours: evidence and correlates

The present study used a within-participants design to (a) assess the predictive validity of prototype identification versus intention for adolescents’ health behaviours and (b) examine whether control of health behaviour by intention relative to identification is associated with key individual difference variables. Participants were school children (N = 136) who completed measures of intention, perceived behavioural control and prototype identification for 14 health-related behaviours at Time 1, and reported their behaviour 2 weeks later (Time 2). A hierarchical regression showed that prototype identification and intention exhibited similar predictive validity in the prediction of adolescents’ health behaviour. Importantly, identification contributed an additional 6% to the variance in behaviour, after controlling for intention and perceived behavioural control from the theory of planned behaviour [TPB: Ajzen, I. (1991 Ajzen, I. 1991. The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50: 179–211. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50, 179–211.]. Additional analyses showed that greater social comparison tendencies, lower agreeableness, greater intellect and less emotional stability were all related to greater control of behaviour by prototype identification. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.