Time Trends and Age Trends in Arrests and Self-Reported Illegal Behavior

• NCJ Number: 122641
• Journal: Criminology Volume: 27 Issue: 3 Dated: (August 1989) Pages: 389-417
• Author(s): D W Osgood; P M O'Malley; J G Bachman; L D Johnston
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 29 pages
• Grant Number(s): DA01411; MH42033
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare; National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Figures for arrests are compared with national estimates of time trends and age trends in self-reported illegal behavior.

Abstract

An annual, national survey of high school seniors, Monitoring the Future, is the source of the self report data on over 3,000 respondents per year from 1975-1985. The analysis of age trends covers ages 17 through 23. Both self-report and arrest measures reveal substantial declines in illegal behavior throughout this age span; the one exception was arrests for assault. Rates of assault were shown to increase from 1975 to 1985, a previously unreported finding. For other offenses, time trends were found to be erratic. 8 tables, 1 figure, 34 references, 1 appendix. (Author abstract modified)