Date of Award
9-22-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Sociology, MA
First Advisor
Veena Kulkarni
Committee Members
Angelo Brown; Kenneth Balusek
Abstract
This thesis tests an integrated biosocial model of adolescent deviance using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Comprehensive OLS regression models reveal that the predictors of offending are highly behavior specific. For example, biological sex is a strong predictor for violent crime but not for noncriminal antisocial acts, where sociological factors are dominant. The results demonstrate a complex interplay of factors, with prior offending history, biological traits (sex, BMI), psychological states (mental health), and social context (community efficacy) all emerging as significant, simultaneous predictors of various outcomes. These findings challenge the sufficiency of single-domain theories. They provide robust evidence that understanding adolescent deviance requires an integrated biosocial approach that accounts for the complex, interdependent nature of its causes.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Recommended Citation
Pitts, Christopher L., "Integrating Biological Determinants with Sociological Models of Criminal and Antisocial Behaviors" (2025). Student Theses and Dissertations. 1111.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/1111
