Investigating types of delinquents in a non-Western country: a group-based model approach

Thumbnail Image
Date
2004-01-01
Authors
Chen, Yi-fu
Major Professor
Advisor
Andrew L. Hochstetler
Ronald L. Simons
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Altmetrics
Authors
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Organizational Unit
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Department
Sociology
Abstract

This study focuses on the empirical status for theories of types of delinquents in a non-Western country: Taiwan. Based on the theories and current empirical status of them, current study tries to answer three main questions: (1) How many groups of delinquent trajectories in Taiwan? (2) What factors distinguish between trajectory groups? Do empirical findings support common factors argument or trajectory-specific argument? (3) Do the covariates of delinquency work differently for trajectory groups in different timing?;Using five-year prospective longitudinal research in Taiwan, current research applies Nagin's group-based models to exploring these questions. In group-based models, results show three trajectory groups (never, early and late starters) for boys and two (never and early starters) for girls. It corresponds to what has already found in Western literature for boys, but not for girls. In the risk factor analysis, common risk factor argument gains much support than trajectory-specific argument. Last, in time-varying covariate analysis, the results support the timing argument that covariates work best in later waves for late starters, while they work similar for early starters across time.;Limitations and discussions are provided in the conclusion section. Suggestions for possible intervention and future research are also provided.

Comments
Description
Keywords
Citation
Source
Keywords
Copyright
Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 2004