Differentiating Between Mofitt's Developmental Taxonomy and Silverthorn and Frick's Delayed-Onset Models of Female Offending

• NCJ Number: 252104
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior Dated: 2016
• Author(s): Sarah A. El Sayed; Alex R. Piquero; Michael TenEyck
• Date Published: 2017
• Length: 20 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Evaluation; Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study tested Moffitt's developmental taxonomy and Silverthorn and Frick's delayed-onset pathway, which make predictions about the composition of female offenders and the nature of their offending.

Abstract

It is a criminological fact that females commit fewer delinquent acts than their male counterparts. This "gender gap" has long been recognized but specific questions concerning similarities or differences in the development, persistence, and desistence of antisocial behavior among females and males remain under-investigated. In testing two prominent theoretical models that make predictions about the composition of female offenders and the nature of their offending, the current study used longitudinal data from the Pathways to Desistance Study, a large sample of serious juvenile offenders followed for 7 years into early adulthood. Results from a series of negative binominal regressions reveal stronger support for Moffitt rather than Silverthorn and Frick in that findings showed two groups of female offenders. Directions for future research are highlighted. (Publisher abstract modified)