Emily K. Asencio – University of Akron Tia E. Kim – Penn State Brandywine Kirk R. Williams – University of California, Riverside

 Studies demonstrate a clear connection between social bonds and refraining from delinquency and crime (Laub and Sampson 1993; Laub and Sampson 2003)  Additional work, though minimal, demonstrates a connection between an individual’s cognitive and emotional characteristics (Giordano, Cernkovich, and Rudolph 2002; Giordano, Schroeder, and Cernkovich 2007)

 Recent studies demonstrate that a combination of bonds and individual characteristics known as “core competencies” provides a more comprehensive explanation for problem behavioral outcomes. (Guerra and Bradshaw 2008; Kim, Guerra, and Williams 2008).

 Do competency indicators predict…  persistence of violent behavior into adulthood?  starting violent behavior in adulthood?  Are there gender differences in these relations?

 11,610 participants from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health)  Add Health Data set is nationally representative sample of adolescents in grades 7 to 12, conducted in mid-1990s  Current study used data from three waves  Wave I – 1995  Wave II  Wave III –

 Competency Indicators  Self-esteem: 6-item scale (e.g. “you like yourself the way you are”)  Positive affect: 10-item scale (e.g. “bothered by things that usually don’t bother you”)  Self control: 3-item scale (e.g. “you had trouble keeping your mind on what you were doing”)  Decision making: 5-item scale (e.g. “when making decisions, you generally use a systematic method for judging and comparing alternatives”)  Social connectedness: 5-item scale (e.g. “you feel close to people at your school”)

 Outcome  Violence during the life course (Violent behavior at Waves I, II, or III)  Desistance from violence during adult transition (Violent behavior at Waves I and/or II, but not Wave III)  Late starters (Violent behavior at Wave III only)

Life Course Violence vs. Desisters No Violence vs. Latestarter Gender Age -.12 Ethnicity Self-Esteem Positive Affect Self Control Decision Making Social Connectedness

FEMALESMALES Life Course Violence vs. Desisters No Violence vs. Latestarter Life Course Violence vs. Desisters No Violence vs. Latestarter Age Ethnicity-.14 Self-Esteem Positive Affect Self Control Decision Making Social Connectedness

 The same competencies are predictors of different offending status outcomes.  Self esteem is the only competency that is a consistent predictor across all offending patterns and gender.

 Studies focused on predictors of violence should consider different offending patterns  Prevention and intervention efforts aimed at reducing violent behaviors should focus on positive development of the core competencies.