Using an Integrated Model of Strain and Routine Activities to Explore the Reciprocal Relationship Between Direct/Various Victimization and Criminal Coping Among Serious Adolescent Offenders

Using an integrated model of general strain and lifestyle/routine activities theories, the study aimed to prospectively assess the reciprocal relationship between direct victimization, vicarious victimization, and delinquency/crime over time among serious offenders. A cross-lagged path model was conducted using three waves from the Pathways to Desistance Study. Past victimization consistently predicted future victimization, while past delinquency/crime consistently affected future delinquency/crime, demonstrating stability across these variables. Prior vicarious victimization also indirectly increased subsequent direct victimization and delinquency/crime. However, there were no direct or indirect effects found between direction victimization and later vicarious victimization or delinquency/crime, or between delinquency/crime and later direct or vicarious victimization. Sensitivity analyses revealed the contemporaneous effects of victimization were more consequential on offending than the lagged effects.

The Effects of Criminal Propensity and Strain on Later Offending

Recently, Agnew has narrowed the focus of General Strain Theory by arguing certain factors must converge for criminal coping to occur. Specifically, individuals must have certain crime-related traits, experience strains that are perceived as unjust and high in magnitude, and occur in situations that encourage criminal coping. A longitudinal sample of serious adolescent offenders was used to assess the impact of direct and vicarious victimization on later offending among those with higher and lower criminal propensity. Regardless of their criminal propensity, youth who experienced victimization were more likely to engage in antisocial behavior compared with those who were not victimized. The results are mixed regarding Agnew’s thesis and suggest that victimization experiences may push justice-involved youth into further crime.

Fear of Property Crime: Examining the Effects of Victimization, Vicarious Victimization, and Perceived Risk

Fear of crime research has primarily focused on fear of crime in general or on fear of specific types of violent crimes. This study builds from this line of research by focusing exclusively on the night fear of six types of property crimes, including fear of burglary while away from home, vehicle theft, bicycle theft, property theft, vandalism, and vehicle burglary. This study examines the effects of victimization, vicarious victimization, and perceived risk on fear of property crime. Survey data from college students reveal that victimization and vicarious victimization were not significant predictors of fear of property crime, whereas perceived risk was a consistent and significant predictor of fear of all property crimes.