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An empirical examination of adolescence-limited offending: A direct test of Moffitt's maturity gap thesis

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  • Barnes, J.C.
  • Beaver, Kevin M.

Abstract

Purpose Provide the first direct test of Moffitt's (1993) hypothesis linking the maturity gap with adolescent delinquency.Methods Data were drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) and a direct measure of the maturity gap was constructed. Negative binomial regression models--survey-corrected to account for the Add Health research design--were estimated.Results Consistent with Moffitt's theory, the results of the analyses revealed that the maturity gap was predictive of minor forms of delinquency and drug use but not of more serious types of offending behaviors for males. Findings were less supportive of Moffitt's hypothesis for females.Conclusions Moffitt's maturity gap thesis is a viable explanation of adolescent delinquency, especially for males. This portion of the theory, which has largely gone unexamined, warrants further inquiry from criminologists.

Suggested Citation

  • Barnes, J.C. & Beaver, Kevin M., 2010. "An empirical examination of adolescence-limited offending: A direct test of Moffitt's maturity gap thesis," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 38(6), pages 1176-1185, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:38:y::i:6:p:1176-1185
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eggleston, Elaine P. & Laub, John H., 2002. "The onset of adult offending: A neglected dimension of the criminal career," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 30(6), pages 603-622.
    2. Ai, Chunrong & Norton, Edward C., 2003. "Interaction terms in logit and probit models," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 80(1), pages 123-129, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nedelec, Joseph L. & Park, Insun & Silver, Ian A., 2016. "The effect of the maturity gap on delinquency and drug use over the life course: A genetically sensitive longitudinal design," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 84-99.
    2. Silver, Ian A. & Nedelec, Joseph L., 2018. "The moderating effects of intelligence: An examination of how IQ influences the association between environmental factors and antisocial behavior," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 62-75.
    3. Silver, Ian A., 2019. "Linear and non-linear: An exploration of the variation in the functional form of verbal IQ and antisocial behavior as adolescents age into adulthood," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 1-1.
    4. Jennings, Wesley G. & Reingle, Jennifer M., 2012. "On the number and shape of developmental/life-course violence, aggression, and delinquency trajectories: A state-of-the-art review," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 40(6), pages 472-489.
    5. Bekbolatkyzy, Duzbayeva Saltanat & Yerenatovna, Dzhansarayeva Rima & Maratuly, Yergali Adlet & Makhatovna, Atakhanova Gulzagira & Beaver, Kevin M., 2019. "Aging out of adolescent delinquency: Results from a longitudinal sample of youth and young adults," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 108-116.
    6. Barnes, J.C., 2014. "Catching the Really Bad Guys: An Assessment of the Efficacy of the U.S. Criminal Justice System," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 42(4), pages 338-346.
    7. Halibiyati, Halibati & Aratuly, Kuanysh & Serikhan, Adilgazy & Yergali, Adlet M. & Beaver, Kevin M., 2024. "Neuropsychological functioning and its association with juvenile arrest and adulthood incarceration: Findings from a longitudinal sample of youth," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    8. DeLisi, Matt & Piquero, Alex R., 2011. "New frontiers in criminal careers research, 2000-2011: A state-of-the-art review," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 289-301, July.
    9. Fox, Bryanna H. & Jennings, Wesley G. & Farrington, David P., 2015. "Bringing psychopathy into developmental and life-course criminology theories and research," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 43(4), pages 274-289.

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