A biosocial explanation of delinquency abstention.
BACKGROUND
One of the more influential criminological theories advanced in recent years is Moffitt's developmental taxonomy. A line of research has tested the core propositions from her theory regarding the causes of life-course persistent offenders and the causes of adolescence-limited offenders, but very little research has investigated whether Moffitt's explanation of delinquency abstention is supported empirically.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the biosocial correlates of delinquency abstention.


METHODS
We used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to examine the effects of two dopamine receptor genes (the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) and the dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4)), drug-using peers, neighbourhood problems, low self-control, public assistance, age, race, and gender on delinquency abstention. The statistical models were calculated by employing binary logistic regression.


RESULTS
Analysis of the Add Health data revealed that exposure to drug-using peers and levels of self-control were associated with abstention from delinquency. In addition, there was some evidence suggesting that DRD2 and DRD4 had protective effects against delinquent involvement for males.


CONCLUSIONS
A multifactorial arrangement of environmental and genetic factors contributes to delinquency abstention.
Boutwell
Brian B
BB
Florida State University, College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1127, USA.
Beaver
Kevin M
KM
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000145:classification*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010553:Personality Development; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012951:Socialization
D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4