Trait-Based Explanations of the Victim/Offender Overlap

Abstract

The link between victimization and offending has been one of the most consistently revealed associations in criminology. Despite the wealth of literature produced on this topic, much still remains unknown, particularly from a developmental perspective. The current study expands on previous developmental research by examining whether low self-control, Machiavellianism, and callous-unemotional traits significantly distinguish victims or offenders from those who identify as both. To do so, we use data drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). The analyses demonstrated that displaying high levels of low self-control and Machiavellianism differentiate victims from those who are victims and offenders. However, none of the investigated traits distinguished offenders from the overlap group. Additionally, the results were revealed to not be dependent upon the biological sex of the sample. We conclude by discussing the implications of the results of this study for future theory development and research.