Gendered Pathways From Victimization to Offending: The Influences of Victimization Subtype and Low Self-Control

Abstract

A criminological fact is that there is an overlap between victims and offenders. Yet within this line of research less is known about the impact of specific types of victimization and how this relationship varies by gender and levels of low self-control (LSC). Employing a gendered perspective, this study expands the understanding of the victim-offender overlap by highlighting how the experiences of victimization and offending differ between men and women and by LSC. Negative binomial regressions using longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) indicate that there are gender differences in the effects of childhood caregiver abuse on self-reported offending over time. Cumulative violent victimization predicts increased offending for both men and women and is the strongest predictor overall. Low self-control moderates these relationships at Wave III, with significant interactions indicating that higher self-control weakens the impact of cumulative victimization on offending behaviors. Notably, these moderating effects diminish by Wave IV, suggesting developmental changes or reduced relevance of earlier victimization over time. This observed interaction varies in intensity by gender. By integrating gender and victimization type, this research contributes to a more thorough understanding of heterogeneity in the victim–offender overlap, emphasizing the importance of considering both gender-specific and general factors in addressing the effects of interpersonal violence. Future research should expand the field’s understanding of the role of diversity in the victim–offender overlap by examining nonbinary gender identities and different sexual orientations as these are known factors that impact both the likelihood of victimization and offending.