Assessing the Violent Offending and Violent Victimization Overlap Among a Sample of Chinese Youth and Young Adults

Abstract

Although an increasing number of studies have examined offending and victimization in China, little is known about the extent of the victim–offender overlap and what factors may explain differential tendencies toward offending versus victimization in the Chinese context. To fill this gap and to broaden the empirical base of the current literature on the victim–offender overlap, we examine the association of a number of prominent theoretical constructs with overall violent encounters and role differentiation. Using data collected from over 2,000 students from six schools in Changzhi, a city in Northern China, and multilevel item response theory modeling, we find a nontrivial overlap between violent offending and victimization and differential tendencies toward offending versus victimization. We also find that most of our theoretical constructs are associated with overall violent encounters, but only moral beliefs, peer delinquency, drinking, and gender are related to role differentiation. Findings for theory and research are discussed.

Self-Control, Risky Lifestyles, and Victimization among Chinese Adolescents

“…For example, Zhao (2018), surveying 3,628 high school students, found that about one-third (32.4%) of the respondents reported property victimization and only 15.2% reported violent victimization in the last year. Focusing on violent victimization, Wang et al (2019) reported that 10.0% of respondents were hit, 9.5% robbed, and 5.6% attacked with a weapon by someone during the 12 months preceding survey. A high prevalence of violent victimization among adolescents was also reported by Ren et al (2017).…”

The Impact of Peer Groups and Routine Activities on the Victim-Offender Overlap: Evidence From a German Study on Youth Crime

“…Accordingly, the nonoffending victims should be distinguishable from victim-offenders. Wang et al (2018) find evidence that peer delinquency and activities are related to role differentiation between victims and offenders. Yet, empirical examinations of this topic are not saturated yet.…”

“…Furthermore, as discussed earlier, there is profound evidence that victims and offenders share many similarities that create the overlap between both (Chan, 2019;Jennings et al, 2012;Mulford et al, 2018;Schreck & Stewart, 2012;Wang et al, 2018). Victimization can be traced back to features that are also responsible for offending.…”

“…Based on the previously argued theoretical and empirical backdrop, the below hypotheses about the impact of proximity to peers (Hypothesis 1), delinquent peer norms (Hypothesis 2), group composition (Hypothesis 3), and routine activities with friends (Hypothesis 4) are derived. Furthermore, as discussed earlier, there is profound evidence that victims and offenders share many similarities that create the overlap between both (Chan, 2019; Jennings et al, 2012; Mulford et al, 2018; Schreck & Stewart, 2012; Wang et al, 2018). Victimization can be traced back to features that are also responsible for offending.…”

The Victim–Offender Overlap in Sexual Offending: Exploring a Community-Based Sample of Young Adults in Hong Kong

“…Therefore, there is a lack of depth and richness in the insights that such studies provide on victimization and offending (Jennings et al, 2012). Thus far, only five empirical studies on the victim-offender overlap have sampled Asian populations, with participants recruited from South Korea, Mainland China, and Hong Kong (Chan, 2019a;Chan & Wong, 2015, 2020Jennings et al, 2011;Wang et al, 2019). Each of these studies either examined a general or violent trend or focused on a specific offending behavior (i.e., school bullying, cyberbullying, and dating violence).…”