Browsing by Author "Farrington, David P."
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- Developmental predictors of offending and persistence in crime: A systematic review of meta-analysesPublication . Basto-Pereira, Miguel; Farrington, David P.Meta-analyses have provided major findings about developmental predictors of offending. However, there has been little focus on their relative ability to predict offending behaviour. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of meta-analyses with two aims: 1) to summarize all well-established knowledge about developmental (explanatory) predictors of offending, and 2) to sort those predictors according to their effect size. The strongest predictors of general offending were related to family/parental dimensions. Delinquent peers, school/employment problems, family problems, certain types of mental health problems, and alcohol/substance abuse were the most important predictors of persistence in crime. Our findings suggest the crucial role of family-related developmental predictors in preventing offending. The predictors of persistence in crime highlight the multisystemic nature of persistent antisocial behaviour.
- The developmental sequences of events underlying persistence in criminal convictions during adulthoodPublication . Basto-Pereira, Miguel; Jolliffe, Darrick; Farrington, David P.The relationship between multiple vulnerabilities experienced and accumulated during development, and later life-course persistent offending trajectories is well-established. However, no studies have yet systematically examined how the sequences in which these vulnerabilities are experienced may influence the persistence of criminal behaviour into adulthood. Therefore, this work investigated how the sequences in which risk factors were experienced may contribute to accruing adult criminal convictions among males with justice involvement during adolescence. To this end, we employed the rich and detailed Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development, a longitudinal study that followed 411 boys from South London from age 8 to age 61. Using an innovative methodological approach, the sequences of risk factors experienced at ages 8–10, 12–14, and 16–18 were mapped and analysed as predictors of adult convictions. Childhood vulnerabilities such as parenting-related problems, low attainment, and risk-taking behaviour at ages 8–10 emerged as key starting points for the developmental sequences leading to adult convictions. At ages 12–14, hyperactivity and low IQ were identified as significant risk factors, followed by school failure and sexual promiscuity at ages 16–18. A very small number of prevalent sequences of risk factors appeared to promote the continuity of convictions from adolescence into adulthood. Our findings suggest that enhancing parenting strategies and fostering school success may prevent the cascade of risk factors promoting life-course persistent offending trajectories. At the transition to adulthood, the most common risk factors and crime-predictive sequences seem to undermine key opportunities for earlier crime desistance.