Life Domains and Offending across the Life Course: Testing an Extension of Agnew's General Theory

• In Event: Marginalization, Strain, and Mental Health in Life-Course Criminology

Abstract

More than ten years have passed since Agnew (2005) introduced his general theory of crime and delinquency. Despite this interval, it still remains relatively untested. Drawing on previous testing efforts, the current research provides a comprehensive test of Agnew's general theory. It also provides only the second empirical test of Cochran's (2015) extension of the theory, which includes religion as a sixth and separate life domain. Nested multivariate logistic regression is used to assess the effects of life domains on various forms of self-reported criminal and deviant behavior at two distinct stages of development: adolescence and young adulthood. Data are drawn from multiple waves of the Kaplan Longitudinal and Multigenerational Study (n = 1,629). Consistent with prior empirical tests, results provide limited support for Agnew's theoretical propositions. Policy implications for the creation of theoretically-informed crime prevention and intervention strategies tailored to specific developmental stage are discussed.

Author

• Joseph Mark Calvert, University of Kentucky