Low Self-Control and the Victim–Offender Overlap: A Gendered Analysis

Jamie L. Flexon, Ryan C. Meldrum, Alex R. Piquero

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

45 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The overlap between victimization and offending is well documented. Yet, there have been fewer investigations of the reasons underlying this relationship. One possible, but understudied, explanation lies with Gottfredson and Hirschi’s arguments regarding self-control. The current study adds to this line of inquiry by assessing whether low self-control accounts for the victim–offender overlap in a sample of young adults and whether self-control accounts for the observed overlap similarly across gender. Results from a series of bivariate probit regression models indicate that low self-control is positively related to both victimization and offending. However, only among males does low self-control account for a substantive portion of the victim–offender overlap. Limitations of the study and implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2052-2076
Number of pages25
JournalJournal of Interpersonal Violence
Volume31
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • bivariate probit regression
  • offending
  • overlap
  • self-control
  • victimization

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