Childhood predictors of successful self-reported delinquents
The main aim of this research is to investigate the childhood predictors of successful self-reported delinquents, defined as those who were not convicted. In the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development (CSDD), 411 London males have been followed up from age 8 to age 61. Self-reported offending was...
Main Author: | |
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Contributors: | ; |
Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2025
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In: |
Psychology, crime & law
Year: 2025, Volume: 31, Issue: 3, Pages: 249-269 |
Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
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Summary: | The main aim of this research is to investigate the childhood predictors of successful self-reported delinquents, defined as those who were not convicted. In the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development (CSDD), 411 London males have been followed up from age 8 to age 61. Self-reported offending was measured for the whole sample for ages 10–14, 15–18, 27–32, and 42–47, for five crimes: burglary, theft of a vehicle, theft from a vehicle, shoplifting, and vandalism. The prevalence of self-reported offending was 64% at ages 10–18 and 11% at ages 27–47, compared with the prevalence of convictions of 23% and 8% respectively. Successful self-reported delinquents were defined as those who offended between ages 10 and 18 but were not convicted up to age 26; 126 successful delinquents were compared with 120 convicted delinquents. Sixteen childhood factors, including attainment, self-control, socioeconomic, parental, family and behavioural factors, predicted successful self-reported delinquents. The most important independent predictors were committing less serious and fewer offences as well as high school attainment, unconvicted parents, low risk-taking, and unseparated families. |
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ISSN: | 1477-2744 |
DOI: | 10.1080/1068316X.2023.2228972 |