Matching Items (5)
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- All Subjects: Crime
- All Subjects: General Strain Theory
- Creators: Holtfreter, Kristy
Description
Most criminological theories are tested using samples of adolescents. Consequently, there is ample evidence regarding the correlates of criminal behavior committed by teenagers. The problem, however, is that there is relatively little information regarding the correlates of criminal offending committed during late life. This limits the ability to assess the generalizability of some of the leading theories in criminology. To fill this void in the literature the present study used a sample of 2,000 elderly people (i.e., 60 years of age and older) from Arizona and Florida to examine three issues: (1) the role of general and specific routine activity measures in the explanation of criminal activity in late life, (2) the invariance of low self-control across various subgroups of the elderly sample, and (3) the generality of self-control theory and routine activity theory. The analyses revealed several important findings. First, general routine activity measures are better predictors of general criminal offending than specific indicators. However, specific routine activity measures still matter in the explanation of specific types of crimes. Another important finding of this study was that low self-control has an invariant effect on criminal offending across gender, race/ethnicity, and age. Finally, self-control theory and routine activity theory are general frameworks that explain criminal behavior committed by older people in much the same manner as among teenagers. Routine activity does not mediate the link between low self-control and offending. Rather, both low self-control and routine activity exert independent effects on late life criminal activity, net of statistical controls. The present study concludes with a discussion of the findings situated in the literature and provides policy implications that stem from the results.
ContributorsWolfe, Scott Edward (Author) / Reisig, Michael D (Thesis advisor) / Holtfreter, Kristy (Committee member) / Pratt, Travis C. (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2012
Description
Contemporary theories of trauma identify the creation of a coherent trauma narrative and therapeutic exposure to trauma memories as potential recovery mechanisms. These factors are often inherent to the disclosure process, resulting in a parallel theoretical framework for experimental research that conceptualizes disclosure as a therapeutic intervention. The present investigation examined the moderational impact of disclosure following trauma on the link between trauma severity and symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Disclosure status (discloser or nondiscloser), highest extent of disclosure, and length of delay to first disclosure were tested in a series of moderated regression models among a sample of female physical and sexual assault victims (N = 1087). Findings indicate that engaging in more detailed disclosure is associated with a modest beneficial impact on PTSD, but that the majority of nondisclosers have lower symptom levels than disclosers. There is also evidence for a small subset of nondisclosers that remain at heightened distress. A unique effect was found for disclosure delay, such that for physical assault, delaying disclosure is associated with a progressively weakening negative relation between time since the trauma and PTSD. At extreme delays, the association may become positive. Findings have implications for theories of trauma recovery and therapeutic interventions, including concerns about early interventions that emphasize disclosure. Future research may benefit from focusing on nondisclosing trauma victims to gain greater insight into recovery processes.
ContributorsFields, Briana (Author) / Barrera, Manuel (Thesis advisor) / Holtfreter, Kristy (Committee member) / Knight, George (Committee member) / Chassin, Laurie (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2010
Description
General Strain Theory (GST) posits that different types of strain lead to different types of negative emotions, some of which increase the likelihood of maladaptive coping. Much research on GST has focused on anger and depression. Far less attention has been directed toward other negative emotions, including anxiety and envy. The current study uses cross-sectional data from surveys administered to a university-based sample (N = 500) to address these voids and explore gender differences in the effects of strain and negative emotions in maladaptive coping. Results indicate that when gender differences existed in levels of strain and negative emotions, females experienced higher levels than males. Strain significantly predicted all four measures of negative emotions examined in this study. Finally, different negative emotions were found to have differing effects on different measures of maladaptive coping. Implications of this study for theory, future research, and policy are discussed.
ContributorsZuniga, Ana Rosa (Author) / Holtfreter, Kristy (Thesis advisor) / Reisig, Michael (Committee member) / Wang, Xia (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2015
Description
Maternal cigarette smoking and marijuana use during pregnancy are risk factors that can adversely affect offspring. Although a large body of empirical literature has examined the adverse health effects of maternal cigarette smoking and marijuana use during pregnancy, few studies have looked at criminological factors associated with prenatal cigarette smoking and marijuana use. This thesis uses strain theory and social learning theory to explain a number of underlying mechanisms behind why some pregnant women decide to smoke tobacco and marijuana cigarettes during pregnancy. Previous drug involvement before pregnancy is also used to determine if it is a predictor of maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy. Logistic regression was used to analyze data collected from the 1988 National Pregnancy and Infant Health Survey. This data set consists of information gathered from three different national samples of maternal and infant data occurring in 1988, which included 13,417 live births, 4,772 fetal deaths, and 8,166 infant deaths. The mothers in the sample were mailed questionnaires. Results showed that pregnant women who have unexpected pregnancies and experience financial hardship during pregnancy are more likely to smoke cigarettes and use marijuana during pregnancy, which is consistent with the general strain theory. Results also indicate that pregnant women who live in households with other people who smoke are more likely to smoke cigarettes during pregnancy, which may be explained by social learning, and that women who use illegal drugs are less likely to smoke cigarettes during pregnancy, even after controlling for strain and social learning. The practical and theoretical implications for this research are discussed.
ContributorsWhiteside, Alexandria (Author) / Ready, Justin (Thesis advisor) / Fox, Kathleen (Committee member) / Holtfreter, Kristy (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2014
The Effect of Time Since Last Incarceration Spell in Situations of Trust: A Factorial Vignette Study
Description
Studies on what shapes public perceptions of ex-prisoners are abundant. One omission is the detailed investigation of how perceptions of former inmates might vary by the amount of time since their last incarceration term. More specifically, it remains unknown whether increased length since an ex-prisoner’s last incarceration spell is positively linked to higher levels of trust. This study (N = 448) uses a factorial vignette design to test the perceived trustworthiness of former inmates across two hypothetical scenarios. Time since last incarceration spell is used as the independent variables in a series of ordered logistic regression models. The role of gender is also explored. Results show that trust perceptions of ex-prisoners minimally vary by time since last incarceration spell when personal victimization is at risk, but the magnitude is small and shows no clear pattern of declining risk over time. Less support is observed in situations where property victimization is at risk. These findings illustrate the complexity of how people perceive and feel about ex-inmates in situations of trust.
ContributorsSimonds, Raven (Author) / Reisig, Michael D (Thesis advisor) / Holtfreter, Kristy (Committee member) / Trinkner, Rick (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2018