Although predictors of criminal offense committed by minors have been examined extensively over the years, most researchers have focused specifically on serious types of offense. However, the rates of less serious offense show steady or increasing trends, whereas serious offenses have been declining steadily. The current study explores how individual traits, risk factors, and protective factors are associated with various types of juvenile offense. Data were derived from the Second International Self-Reported Delinquency Study (ISRD-2), and the sample for the analysis was composed of 2,400 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15. Results revealed that various variables of low self-control and risky lifestyles were significantly related to juvenile offense. In addition, proximity to crime and social bonds contributed as predictors in some of the regression models.
Juvenile offense; Self-control; Risky lifestyle; Proximity to crime; Social bonds