Patterns and Correlates of Offender Versatility and Specialization Across a 23-Year Span for At-Risk Young Men. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wiesner, Margit; Yoerger, Karen; Capaldi, Deborah M.
• Is Part Of: Victims & offenders. Volume 13:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 28
• Page End: 47
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: longitudinal -- offender specialization -- offender versatility; Victims of crimes -- Periodicals; Criminals -- Periodicals; 362.8805
• DOI: 10.1080/15564886.2016.1250691
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1556-4886

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The authors examined patterns and correlates of offender specialization versus versatility, or more random offenses, among 206 at-risk men. Both official records and self-report data of offending from late childhood to ages 31–32 years old were used. Aggregate- and individual-level analyses indicated that the predominant offender pattern for this sample was versatility. Three correlates of offender versatility were examined (offense frequency, early onset, gang association). Aggregate-level findings consistently revealed offense frequency as a robust correlate of offender versatility, whereas individual-level findings differed among the three measures of offender versatility. The congruence of these findings with predictions from Patterson's (1982) coercion model is discussed.