A Life-Course Developmental Analysis of the Cycle of Violence

Abstract

Research on the cycle of violence has consistently indicated a link between maltreatment and subsequent offending. Less attention has been given to whether the timing or type of maltreatment affects later delinquent behavior. This study investigates these issues. The timing of maltreatment is coded as occurring during childhood only (i.e., ages 0–11), adolescence only (i.e., ages 12–18), and persistent maltreatment (experienced in both childhood and adolescence). Analyses also examine if the impact on self-reported delinquency and arrest at age 18 varies according to the type of maltreatment (neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse) based on official records from child protective services agencies. This study relied on secondary analysis of prospective data from 890 to 898 participants in the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN). Results from logit and negative binomial regression models indicate statistically significant relationships between adolescent only and persistent maltreatment and delinquency and arrest, and these relationships varied according to the type of maltreatment assessed. No significant relationships were found between any type of maltreatment experienced in childhood only and any of the outcomes. These findings suggest that adolescent maltreatment is more strongly related to delinquent behavior than childhood only maltreatment, which means that some justice system-involved youth will likely be coping with recent exposure to trauma. Services should be integrated into juvenile justice diversion and treatment programs to address these traumatic experiences. The results also suggest that future research continue to assess how the cycle of violence may vary according to the timing and type of maltreatment experienced by victims.