Specifying the Nature of the Victim-Offender Overlap: A Gendered Analysis of Victimization and Offending Subtypes

Abstract

ABSTRACT A robust correlation exists between victimization and adolescent offending, but questions remain about how strongly subtypes of victimization may influence offending as well as the relative impact of victimization versus non-victimization adversities on offending. Drawing on General Strain Theory, we argue that interpersonal victimization may promote several types of offending more strongly than other adverse childhood experiences, that physical victimization by parents may have a particularly strong influence on offending, and that these relationships may depend partly on gender. Using a nationally representative sample of 10–17-year-olds, we test a priori hypotheses concerning the association between victimization and offending among males and females. Net of controls, results reveal that physical victimization by parents is more strongly related to violent offending than other forms of physical victimization and that property victimization is associated with both violent and property offending. Results suggest the victimization-offender overlap applies to both males and females, but victimization does not explain a significant portion of the gender gap in offending. Implications of this research are that an accurate portrayal of the victim-offender overlap requires consideration of victimization and offending subtypes and that prevention efforts should be guided by trauma-informed care paying particular attention to family dynamics.