Exposure to Situations Conducive to Delinquent Behavior

Abstract

Multilevel cross-sectional data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were used to test predictions based on Osgood and colleagues' extension of routine activity theory to individual offending. Specifically, the authors examined the associations between delinquent behavior and three variables hypothesized to increase exposure to situations conducive to such behavior: unstructured socializing (time use), income, and private transportation. Findings are generally supportive, showing that differences in individual offending among youth reflect varying degrees of criminal opportunities associated with diverse daily life patterns and routines.