Does Violence in Adolescence Differentially Predict Offending Patterns in Early Adulthood?

• In Event: Life Course Implications of Violent Offending and Victimization

Abstract

Prior reports from the National Academy of Sciences (Blumstein et al., 1986; Reiss & Roth, 1993) have encouraged researchers to assess whether there are unique characteristics of violent offenders, if separate theories are needed to explain violent offending, and if separate prevention and intervention strategies should be implemented for this unique group of offenders. Yet, there has been little research to assess the various frameworks and explanations for violent offenders/offending. Further, much of the prior research on this topic has utilized general population samples, resulting in potentially limited policy implications. This study seeks to answer two questions using longitudinal data from the Pathways to Desistance, a study of serious adolescent offenders processed in Phoenix and Philadelphia. First, what factors predict the commission of serious violence in mid-adolescence? Second, does involvement in serious violence in mid-adolescence lead to more chronic and/or more heterogeneous patterns of offending in early adulthood?

Authors

• Stephanie M. Cardwell, University of Texas at Dallas

• Alex R. Piquero, University of Texas at Dallas

• Kathryn Monahan, University of Pittsburgh

• Edward P. Mulvey, University of Pittsburgh

• Carol A. Schubert, University of Pittsburgh