Family Violence, Television Viewing Habits, and Other Adolescent Experiences Related to Violent Criminal Behavior

• NCJ Number: 110320
• Journal: Criminology Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: (May 1986) Pages: 235-267
• Author(s): C Kruttschnitt; L Heath; D A Ward
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 33 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study employs multivariate analyses with retrospective self-report data to assess the relative importance of certain childhood and adolescent experiences to the commission of violent crimes as an adult.

Abstract

Specifically, the relationship is examined between violent criminal behavior and exposure to family violence, exposure to television violence, school performance, and other adolescent activities, and differential reinforcement for previous illegal acts. The exploratory model is based on data collected on 100 male inmates incarcerated for violent crimes and 65 nonincarcerated, nonviolent males matched in terms of age, race, and neighborhood. Findings, from analyses which estimate both additive and interactive effects, indicate that the background experiences associated with violent crime vary depending upon the individual's race. The discussion focuses on the implications of these findings for further research on the causes of violent criminal behavior. (Publisher abstract)