Experiencing parental divorce and engaging in criminal behavior: What are the long-term consequences?

• In Event: EDLC: onset and development of criminal careers

Abstract

Previous research has shown that children who experience parental divorce have an increased likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior. However, the long-term consequences of experiencing parental divorce remain unclear. It is possible that this event continues to impact individuals into young adulthood, but it is also plausible that young adults do not experience long-term effects. Therefore, this study examines whether young adults who experienced parental divorce during childhood have a higher likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior.
This study utilizes microdata from Statistics Netherlands, comprising longitudinal data on the entire Dutch population. These data allow us to examine the experience of parental divorce between ages 0 and 17 and its potential association with criminal behavior in young adulthood (ages 18 to 25). Several control variables are included in the analysis, such as the age of the child at the time of the divorce, household income, parental criminal behavior, and the presence of stepparents.
The results of our study indicate that young adults who experienced parental divorce during childhood continue to exhibit a higher likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior.

Authors

• Janique Kroese, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

• Wim Bernasco, Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR)

• Steve van de Weijer, Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement