Marriage and Involvement in Crime: A Consideration of Reciprocal Effects in a Nationally Representative Sample

• NCJ Number: 245357
• Journal: Justice Quarterly Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2014 Pages: 229-256
• Author(s): J. C. Barnes; Kristin Golden; Christina Mancini; Brian B. Boutwell; Kevin M. Beaver; Brie Diamond
• Date Published: April 2014
• Length: 28 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Research has developed under the testable assumption that marriage affects criminal behavior but that criminal involvement does not affect marital propensity (i.e. no selection effect).

Abstract

Some theories contend that marriage leads to desistance from crime. Indeed, many studies have reported married persons are less involved in crime. Research has developed under the testable assumption that marriage affects criminal behavior but that criminal involvement does not affect marital propensity (i.e. no selection effect). The current study tests this assumption in two ways. First, the authors examine a cross-lagged path model where prior marital status is allowed to influence future crime and prior crime is allowed to influence future marital status. Second, the authors analyze a reciprocal effects model where the contemporaneous influence of marriage on criminal activity is examined while also estimating the influence of criminal behavior on marriage. The findings reveal mixed support for the effect of marriage on crime. The marriage effect is observed in one of the cross-lagged models but not in the reciprocal effects models. Implications for both theory and policy are considered. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.