Citation

Xiaojin Chen. Crim. Justice Behav. 2010; 37(9): 989-1004.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0093854810367481

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Leading criminological theories, including Moffitt’s adolescence-limited delinquency theory and Agnew’s general strain theory, identify adolescents’ need for autonomy as a key factor in shaping the trajectories of delinquency. Few empirical studies, however, approach it from a life course perspective. Applying latent growth curve modeling, this study uses a national longitudinal data set, Add Health, to demonstrate that there is a significant association between delinquency and the desire for autonomy. Prior cross-sectional studies, however, overestimate this linkage. In addition, the association between desire for autonomy and delinquency is offense specific, suggesting that criminology theories and future research need to consider adolescents’ developmental stages and their social environments. Finally, adolescents’ expression of negative emotions partially explains the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationship between the need for autonomy and delinquency.