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Examining the work-crime association in emerging adulthood: A longitudinal analysis based on a Dutch population sample

Wensveen,Maaike
Palmen,Hanneke
Blokland,Arjan
Meeus,W.H.J.
Abstract
Social control theory links being employed with reduced criminal behaviour. In particular, the indirect social control generated by the perceived benefits of the current job are expected to underlie the work-crime association. Features specific to the emerging adult period, however, call into question the strength of the work-crime association during this new life stage. This study uses data from the Utrecht Study of Adolescent Development (USAD), a longitudinal self-report study among 669 men and women aged 18 to 24 at the start of the study to examine the extent to which working a paid job is associated with reduced levels of delinquency and crime, and the extent to which this association is conditional on individual job perceptions. We also test for gender differences in these associations. Results indicate that for men but not for women - paid work is associated with lower levels of delinquency and crime, but only from age 24 onwards.
Description
Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
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Journal Issue
Keywords
Commitment, delinquency, emerging adulthood, future prospects, work, GENDER-DIFFERENCES, LIFE-COURSE, EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT, DELINQUENCY, DESISTANCE, TRAJECTORIES, BEHAVIOR, MODEL, YOUTH, SDG 5 - Gender Equality
Citation
Wensveen, M, Palmen, H, Blokland, A & Meeus, W H J 2017, 'Examining the work-crime association in emerging adulthood : A longitudinal analysis based on a Dutch population sample', European Journal of Criminology, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 467-484. https://doi.org/10.1177/1477370816671749
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