NCJ Number
239921
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 52 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2012 Pages: 808-833
Date Published
July 2012
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This study examined the interactive effects of unstructured socializing with peers, peer group orientation, and neighbourhood social processes on adolescents' violent victimization experiences in their neighbourhoods.
Abstract
Although recent research demonstrates the relevance of situational and structural-level processes in determining youth violent victimization, only scant attention has been given to these processes' potential interactions. Accordingly, the authors study the interactive effects of unstructured socializing with peers, peer group orientation and neighborhood social processes on adolescents' violent victimization experiences in their neighborhoods. Incorporating hypotheses from the routine activities and collective efficacy theories, the authors hypothesize that, while unstructured socializing with peers increases adolescents' violent victimization, this effect is likely to be conditioned by the conventionality of peers and by the neighborhood social context. The authors tested this idea using data available in the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods. Two important findings are reported. First, while unstructured socializing with peers is positively related to youths' violent victimization in the neighborhood, neighborhood collective efficacy is negatively related to this outcome. Second, a significant and negative three-way cross-level interaction suggests that unstructured socializing with conventional peers is associated with violent victimization, but only when such activities occur within low collective efficacy neighborhoods. (Published Abstract)