Family level predictors of victimization and offending among young men: Rethinking the role of parents in prevention and interventions models

This paper is one in a series of three that reports detailed findings from a larger study that simultaneously explored individual, family and neighborhood level predictors of victimization and offending among youth. The current study aims to identify which family level factors have better predictive power with regard to type of victimization and offending over time so that effective prevention and intervention efforts can be developed and implemented. Methods: Path analysis was conducted using data from a multi-wave, panel study (N=625) of young men ages 16-19 at Wave 1 to determine the best fitting model showing causal pathways from family-level factors, including parental monitoring, parental support, family structure, and socioeconomic status (SES), to both victimization and offending. Findings: Parental monitoring was a significant predictor of personal victimization and offending at Wave 1 and Wave 2. Single parenthood significantly predicted offending at Wave 1. Father support and SES significantly predicted vicarious victimization through exposure to violence. Implications for practice are discussed.