Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: Childhood abuse and adolescent victimization have been linked to higher levels of criminal behavior for males and females.However, a large body of research shows that a substantial percentage of victims do not engage in criminal behavior.Further, studies have shown that victimization events are not randomly distributed across individuals; thus, some individuals have a higher probability of victimization than other individuals.Given these two findings in the literature, the current dissertation uses data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to examine whether genetic factors explain both individuals' exposure to victimization events and individuals' differential responses to victimization.More specifically, the current dissertation examines whether five genetic polymorphisms (DAT1, DRD2, DRD4, 5HTTLPR, and MAOA) moderate the effects of childhood sexual abuse, childhood physical abuse, childhood neglect, adolescent violent victimization, and adolescent intimate partner violence on criminal behavior and substance abuse.The results reveal that the genetic polymorphisms moderate the effects of victimization on criminal behavior and substance abuse.Further, the results suggest that it is the simultaneous presence of genetic risk and victimization that exponentially increases the rate of criminal behavior and substance abuse.The theoretical implications for criminologists are discussed.iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT First and foremost, I would like to thank my Mom and Dad for their unconditional support, love, and encouragement.They have always believed in me and encouraged me to be the best at whatever profession I chose in life.I would like to thank my father for always being curious and intrigued by the world around him.This curiosity has undoubtedly fostered my curiosity and intellectual development throughout the years.I would like to thank my mother for being my confidant, and teaching me that many of the greatest gifts in life are worth sacrifice.I would also like to extend a
Author: Jamie Vaske
Institution: University of Cincinnati
Language: English
Topic: Child Abuse and Trauma
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W207102132