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Citation |
Killias M, Rabasa J. Br. J. Criminol. 1997; 37(3): 446-457. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 1997, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Publisher Oxford University Press) |
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DOI |
unavailable |
PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
Situational variables have often been shown to influence crime and violence. The present study tries to assess the role of physical fitness and weapons in the genesis of violent behaviour. Using self-report data from a national random sample of 513 Swiss male juveniles aged 14 to 21, physical constitution could, retrospectively, be identified as an important factor in bullying at age 10, but not in relation to violence during adolescence. Adolescent violent behaviour is correlated with the possession of weapons, violent victimization, former involvement in school bullying, and attitudes favourable to violent solutions, whereas parental monitoring, self-control, and school failure are much less important. Non-violent deviant behaviour (shoplifting) is, however, only poorly explained by violence-related variables. It is concluded that (1) weapons and athletic constitution are related to violence rather than theft (or deviance in general), (2) juveniles with frequent involvement in violence have a high chance of frequently being victims of violence, thus showing a kind of syndrome of violent involvement, and (3) instrumental factors (such as weapons) may contribute to the establishment and perpetuation of this spiral. (Abstract Adapted from Source: British Journal of Criminology, 1997. Copyright © 1997 by Oxford University Press) |