The Economic Maturity Gap Encourages Continuity in Offending

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
Craig, Jessica M
Piquero, Alex R
Farrington, David P
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2017
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

Purpose: In the study of criminal careers, factors that predict continuity in offending are of importance to both theory and policy. One recently advanced hypothesis is Moffitt’s “economic maturity gap,” which argues that some adolescence-limited offenders may be mired in a poor economic situation. As only one study to date has examined this hypothesis, the current study seeks to extend this line of research by assessing the relationship of the economic maturity gap on later offending. Methods: Using data from the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development, three distinct operationalizations of the economic maturity gap are used to predict continued offending into mid-adulthood. Results: Findings support the hypothesis that adolescence-limited males who experience this gap in late adolescence are more likely to continue offending into adulthood. Conclusions: Experiencing poor economic circumstances helps to maintain offending into mid-adulthood.

Journal Title

Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

3

Issue

4

Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Criminology

Sociology

Social Sciences

Delinquency

Economic maturity gap

Employment

Penology

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Craig, JM; Piquero, AR; Farrington, DP, The Economic Maturity Gap Encourages Continuity in Offending, Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology, 2017, 3 (4), pp. 380-396

Collections