NCJ Number
243413
Journal
Victims & Offenders Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: April - June 2013 Pages: 148-163
Date Published
April 2013
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This article examines genetic factors that influence adolescent victimization.
Abstract
Behavioral genetic research has consistently revealed that genetic factors explain a significant proportion of variance in antisocial phenotypes. Despite some initial evidence, the extent to which genetic factors influence adolescent victimization remains largely undetermined. The current study partially addresses this gap in the literature by employing an adoption-based research design to estimate genetic influences on victimization. Participants consisted of adoptees drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Multivariate analyses revealed that adoptees who had a biological criminal father or a biological criminal mother were at increased risk for being victimized in adolescence and also to be victimized repeatedly. This is the first study to use an adoption-based research design to show an association between genetic factors and the risk for adolescent victimization. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.