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Life domains and crime: A test of Agnew's general theory of crime and delinquency

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  • Ngo, Fawn T.
  • Paternoster, Raymond
  • Cullen, Francis T.
  • Mackenzie, Doris Layton

Abstract

Purpose This study presents a preliminary test of Agnew's general theory of crime and delinquency. This study examines whether each of the five life domain variables at the core of Agnew's theory is related to recidivism, whether there is a non-linear relationship between the life domains and recidivism, and whether the five life domains interact in causing recidivism.Methods Data were derived from the baseline survey of the Maryland Boot Camp Experiment and through a criminal records check conducted by the Maryland Department of Public Safety.Results Overall, the results lend weak support for Agnew's general theory. In particular, only two of the five life domains, having a bad job and being a high school dropout, are significantly correlated with recidivism. Further, with the exception of the peers domain, there is neither a linear nor a non-linear relationship between the life domains and recidivism. The results also reveal that none of the two-way bivariate interactions are significant in a multivariate linear probability model.Conclusions Although our findings are not supportive of Agnew's (2005) general theory of crime, the theory contains many other implications that we simply did not have the data to address.

Suggested Citation

  • Ngo, Fawn T. & Paternoster, Raymond & Cullen, Francis T. & Mackenzie, Doris Layton, 2011. "Life domains and crime: A test of Agnew's general theory of crime and delinquency," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 302-311, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:39:y:2011:i:4:p:302-311
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    Cited by:

    1. DeLisi, Matt & Vaughn, Michael G., 2014. "Foundation for a temperament-based theory of antisocial behavior and criminal justice system involvement," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 42(1), pages 10-25.
    2. Kabiri, Saeed & Shadmanfaat, Seyyedeh Masoomeh Shamila & Choi, Jaeyong & Yun, Ilhong, 2020. "The impact of life domains on cyberbullying perpetration in Iran: A partial test of Agnew's general theory of crime," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    3. Barn, Ravinder & Tan, Jo-Pei, 2012. "Foster youth and crime: Employing general strain theory to promote understanding," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 40(3), pages 212-220.

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