Trajectories of Violent Offending and Risk Status Across Adolescence and Early Adulthood, 1976-1986 [United States] (ICPSR 21021)

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Study Purpose View help for Study Purpose

This study investigated violent offending in adolescence and early adulthood with an aim of building practical knowledge to guide prevention programs and policies. The study examined risk factors that influence violent offending and described how offending and risk levels change over adolescence and into early adulthood. Specifically, by using the NATIONAL YOUTH SURVEY, the researchers sought to (1) fit models that identify distinct developmental trajectories of violent offending over time, (2) fit models that identify distinct trajectories of risk levels over time, and (3) fit dual trajectory models of risk and offending.

Study Design View help for Study Design

The study used data from Waves I to VII of the NATIONAL YOUTH SURVEY (NYS), conducted by Delbert Elliott between 1977 and 1987. Wave I of the NYS occurred in 1977, when a national probability sample of youths and one parent or legal guardian were interviewed about events occurring in 1976 and about background and demographic information. Follow-up surveys of youths occurred annually from 1978 to 1981 (Waves II to V). Additional follow-up surveys of youths occurred in 1984 (Wave VI) and 1987 (Wave VII). Separate datasets for Waves I to VII were merged to create a single longitudinal dataset, using SAS system software. Observations across waves were linked by creating a common identifier based on household and youth ID numbers. The NYS includes baseline information on youth and family background and demographic characteristics, as well as longitudinal data on the behaviors and attitudes of youths, and youths' perceptions of parent, neighborhood, and peer group factors. The longitudinal dataset contained one observation per study participant and included measures of age at each wave, along with measures of fixed demographics and background characteristics. The dataset included measures of fixed risk factors (i.e., low SES and parent beliefs legitimizing aggression), and it also included wave-specific measures of violent offending and time-varying risk factors. The researchers examined three time-varying risk factors measured at Waves I to VII. Youths' beliefs legitimizing aggression (BLA) were measured by averaging responses to two items pertaining to the extent to which a respondent agreed that it is necessary (1) to beat up someone to gain peers' respect and (2) to play dirty in order to win. Bonding with delinquent peers (BDP) was calculated as the product of a peer involvement score and a delinquent peers deviation score, based on the work of Elliott and colleagues (1985). The researchers measured involvement in conventional activities (ICA) as the average of the standardized Family, School, and Community Involvement Scales described by Elliott and colleagues (1985), in Waves I to III, combined with a standardized aggregate measure of employment in Waves IV to VII. These variables were coded so that higher scores consistently reflected higher levels of risk.

Sample View help for Sample

The analysis sample included 1,227 respondents with complete data from Wave I through Wave VII of the National Youth Survey on measures of violent offending.

Universe View help for Universe

inap.

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Description of Variables View help for Description of Variables

Self-reported violent offending was the dependent variable of interest. All models included demographic and background variables as well as measures of violent offending and risk status.

Response Rates View help for Response Rates

Not applicable.

Presence of Common Scales View help for Presence of Common Scales

The Family, School, and Community Involvement scales described by Elliott and colleagues (1985) measured the amount of time a youth spent on specific normative activities per week (e.g., homework, sports, and school activities). In this study, scores on the three scales were standardized and averaged to create an aggregate measure of involvement in conventional activities.

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Original Release Date View help for Original Release Date

2007-10-26

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none

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