Abstract
The current research is a qualitative examination of the relations between self-control and deterministic/non-deterministic perceptions of life events and the drifts into or desistance from a criminal spin among juvenile delinquents. Based on in-depth semi-structured interviews with 21 adolescents (11 active delinquents and 10 desisters), we found that both the intensification of criminal behavior and the desistance from criminal activity are gradual and connected to the reduction or acquisition, respectively, of self-control and the offenders’ belief in their self-control. Criminal behavior and self-control were found to be associated with deterministic or non-deterministic perceptions of life events: the former combined with low self-control are associated with a delinquent lifestyle; the latter combined with high self-control promote the likelihood that young offenders will modify their behavior and desist from criminal behavior. The study may provide better understanding of the role of the criminal spin in the engagement or desistance from criminal behavior.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 4739-4757 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 15 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Nov 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© The Author(s) 2018.
Funding
The study was approved by the Israeli Adult Probation Service, the supervisor of the chain of rehabilitative homes in Israel for at-risk children and adolescents and the supervisor of therapeutic communities in the Israeli Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, and they assisted us in recruiting research participants.
Funders | Funder number |
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Israeli Adult Probation Service | |
Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services |
Keywords
- crime desistance
- criminal spin
- juvenile delinquency
- self-control