Investigating the Degree to Which Unstructured Socializing With Peers and Delinquency Are Nonlinear.

Abstract

Since the formulation of Cohen and Felson's (1979) routine activity theory (RAT), Osgood et al. (1996) established a reformulated theory to better explain patterns of situational offense and coined the RAT of general deviance or more commonly known as unstructured socializing with peers (USWP). The present study seeks to explore whether spending more time in USWP may increase antisocial behavior in a nonlinear manner, either accelerating or decelerating. Results showed that the relationship between USWP and property delinquency was found to be nonlinear in a decelerating manner. Similar results were found for the association between USWP and substance use. Finally, the relationship between USWP and violent delinquency was significant, although no evidence was found for nonlinearity. The present study concludes with theoretical implications, limitations, and directions for future research.