A Cross-National Study of Youth Offending Toward a General Theory of Crime

• In Event: Comparative Research on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency

Abstract

The existing contemporary criminology theoretical frameworks were mainly developed and tested within Western cultural settings. Although the main purpose of cross – cultural research is to establish the scientific generalizability of specific causal mechanisms, critical issues come up when conducting research including non – Western countries. This is due to the absence of a general theory of crime for cross – cultural criminology research.

Thus, the purpose of the current research is to investigate the generalizability of integrated theoretical model derived from self – control theory, social bonding theory, and routine activities theory.

Utilizing the Second International Self-report Delinquency Study (ISRD-2), the effect of the integrated theoretical model on youth’s deviant behavior are examined through binomial regression analyses. Results produce strong support for the integrated theoretical model on violent and property crime behavior across 25 different countries. The need for the general theory of crime for cross – cultural criminology research discussed.

Author

• Myunghoon Roh, Texas A&M University - San Antonio