Aging out of adolescent delinquency: Results from a longitudinal sample of youth and young adults

Abstract

One of the most consistent findings to emerge from criminological research is the age-crime curve. To date, however, there has not been much consensus regarding the mechanism(s) that are responsible for creating the distribution of crime across age. The current study uses this backdrop as a springboard to examine the potential factors that might account for why some adolescents who are heavily involved in nonviolent and violent delinquency “age out” of crime and delinquency during the transition to adulthood whereas others persist with such behavior. To do so, data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) are analyzed. The results reveal relatively inconsistent effects of multiple socialization and individual differences measures on the aging out process across multiple time periods. Two measures—delinquent peers and low self-control—however, do have some statistically significant effects on some of the aging out measures. The potential reasons for the results are discussed and directions for future research are offered.