A Longitudinal, Multilevel Analysis of Homicide Against Children Aged 0–9 Years Using State-Level Characteristics: 1979–2007

Abstract

Annually, over a thousand children are the victims of homicide in the United States Homicide among younger children, 0–9 years of age, is usually perpetrated by parents and caregivers. Researchers neither have tracked changes in the homicide rate among young children over time nor have they used theory to understand what factors may drive these changes. In this analysis of state-level data, we used longitudinal growth modeling and ecological theory to examine changes in homicide rate against children aged 0–9 years from 1979 to 2007. Our results indicate that states are relatively consistent, over time, in their homicide rates. Furthermore, a cultural context of criminal and risky behavior is positively associated with homicide against children. We discuss implications for future research and prevention.