Romantic Relationships and Time-Varying Moderators of Desistance: A Focus on Gender Differences across the Life-Course

• In Event: The Gendered Context of Life Events and Their Impact on Offending and Desistance

Abstract

The impact of marriage on antisocial behavior has been consistently documented in extant literature (Giordano, Cernkovich, & Rudolph, 2002; King, Massoglia, & MacMillan, 2007; Sampson & Laub, 1993, 2003); however, the impact of dating and cohabiting relationships has received less attention. As such, the current study uses 10 waves of data from the Pathways to Desistance study, as well as life-event calendars and collateral interviews with participants’ peers/partners to examine how romantic relationship quality and various time-varying moderators (e.g., relationship length, employment status, and others) have differential effects on individuals in adolescence through adulthood with regard to desistance from substance use and offending behavior. In addition, gender differences will be examined.

Author

• Sara Zedaker, Sam Houston State University