ERIC Number: EJ912536
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Jan
Pages: 31
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0743-5584
EISSN: N/A
Environmental Moderators of Genetic Influences on Adolescent Delinquent Involvement and Victimization
Beaver, Kevin M.
Journal of Adolescent Research, v26 n1 p84-114 Jan 2011
A growing body of empirical research reveals that genetic factors account for a substantial amount of variance in measures of antisocial behaviors. At the same time, evidence is also emerging indicating that certain environmental factors moderate the effects that genetic factors have on antisocial outcomes. Despite this line of research, much remains unknown about the specific environments that may moderate genetic influences on adolescent delinquent involvement and victimization. The current study addresses this gap in the literature by examining whether 13 criminogenic environments alter the extent to which genes influence delinquency and victimization. Analysis of sibling pairs drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health revealed significant environmental moderation of genetic influences on measures tapping serious delinquency, violent delinquency, and personal victimization. In general, greater exposure to criminogenic risk factors increases the effects that genetic factors have on these three antisocial outcomes. The implications that these findings have for criminological theory and research are discussed. (Contains 1 figure and 5 tables.)
Descriptors: Delinquency, At Risk Persons, Genetics, Victims of Crime, Environmental Influences, Siblings, Adolescents, Violence, Crime, Longitudinal Studies, Neighborhoods, Family Influence, Social Support Groups, Religion, Drinking, Depression (Psychology), Self Control, Neurological Impairments, Educational Environment, Social Services
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A