STUDY OF SELF-REPORTED THEFTS AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS: A RESEARCH NOTE

• NCJ Number: 143904
• Journal: Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 23 Issue: 4 Dated: (July/August 1993) Pages: 23-30
• Author(s): C W Eskridge
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study explored the nature and extent of the thefts committed by college students and identified any differences between students who reported theft offenses and those who did not.

Abstract

A self-report deviance survey was administered to students enrolled in three universities over a 6-year period. A total of 2,669 students completed the survey. The students were asked if they had ever committed any of 23 different acts. The possible responses included "no"; "yes, but just once"; and "yes, more than once." Included in the survey were questions regarding past thefts. Approximately 60 percent of the respondents were males. Approximately 60 percent of the students reported they had stolen an item worth $10 or less at least once, but only 19 percent claimed to have stolen an item worth $10 or less more than once. Approximately 20 percent claimed to have stolen an item worth between $10 and $50, but only 6 percent claimed to have stolen an item worth between $10 and $50 more than once. Approximately 10 percent claimed to have stolen an item worth more than $50, but only 3 percent claimed to have stolen an item worth more than $50 more than once. Nearly 4 percent reported they had stolen a car at least once, but less than 1 percent reported they had stolen a car more than once. Those with higher grade point averages were less likely to have reported that they had stolen an item worth less than $10, stolen an item worth between $10 and $50, and stolen from a hotel or motel than those with lower grade point averages. Males were more likely than females to have reported that they had stolen. Those who reported that they were active in church were more likely to report that they had stolen in six of the eight categories than were those who reported they were not active in a church. Those who reported that they had stolen were more likely than those who reported they had not stolen to commit other non-theft crimes. 10 tables and 16 references