Interactionist Labeling: A Structural Equation Model of Formal Labeling, Juvenile Delinquency, and Adult Criminality

<p>This dissertation critically reviews prior labeling theory research concerning juvenile delinquency and adult criminality, and presents a structural equation model utilizing the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). The labeling perspective is outlined as it was originally presented, and the theoretical elaborations that have taken place since are highlighted. Distinctions are made between formally applied criminal justice labels and the informal labels that are applied by significant others and parents. An interactionist labeling model that incorporates respondents’ levels of self-control is presented to explain formal labeling, levels of juvenile delinquency, and future criminality among a nationally representative sample of American adolescents: three waves of Add Health. The findings show that formal labeling was the strongest significant predictor of subsequent criminal involvement and that it mediated the effect of prior delinquency on subsequent criminal involvement.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Campus Only Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Criminology and Criminal Justice

Year dc:date.available

2016

Author dc:creator

• Kavish, Daniel Ryan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mullins, Christopher

• delinquency
• labeling
• symbolic interactionism

Repository record dc:identifier

https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/dissertations/1311

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opensiuc.lib.siu.edu:dissertations-2315