| Sumario: | This study focuses on the empirical status for theories of types of delinquents in a non-Western country: Taiwan. Based on the theories and current empirical status of them, current study tries to answer three main questions: (1) How many groups of delinquent trajectories in Taiwan? (2) What factors distinguish between trajectory groups? Do empirical findings support common factors argument or trajectory-specific argument? (3) Do the covariates of delinquency work differently for trajectory groups in different timing?;Using five-year prospective longitudinal research in Taiwan, current research applies Nagin's group-based models to exploring these questions. In group-based models, results show three trajectory groups (never, early and late starters) for boys and two (never and early starters) for girls. It corresponds to what has already found in Western literature for boys, but not for girls. In the risk factor analysis, common risk factor argument gains much support than trajectory-specific argument. Last, in time-varying covariate analysis, the results support the timing argument that covariates work best in later waves for late starters, while they work similar for early starters across time.;Limitations and discussions are provided in the conclusion section. Suggestions for possible intervention and future research are also provided
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