Individual Paper(s)
SEM model of criminal behaviour within a sample of recidivistic prisoners
Daniel Boduszek
University of Ulster
Gary Adamson
University of Ulster
Philip Hyland
University of Ulster
Mark Shevlin
University of Ulster
Background: Research concerning the impact of family
variables and criminal friends on adolescents has received considerable
attention; however there is still only little empirical support to
suggest that the same process occurs within adult offender population.
Aims: To investigate the impact of parental attachment, peer rejection,
parental control and criminal peer associations on further criminal behaviour.
Method: Two alternative structural equation models of criminal behaviour were specified and
empirically tested within a sample of recidivistic
prisoners (N=312)
Results: Parental attachment has a
significant influence on parental control and relationships with peers, and an
indirect impact on associations with criminal friends via parental control. Further investigation suggests a direct
influence of parental control on criminal associations and a strong impact of
criminal friends on criminal behaviour. The only indirect predictor of criminal
behaviour was parental control via criminal friends.
Conclusions: Further implications in
relation to theory and previous studies are discussed.
