Objectives Current knowledge about the causes of offending behavior is heavily reliant on self-re... more Objectives Current knowledge about the causes of offending behavior is heavily reliant on self-reports of offending (SRO). However, methodological research on the impact of modes of administration on SRO is very scarce. Further, the existing evidence conflicts with the general knowledge about responding to sensitive questions. In this study, we aimed to test whether SRO are affected by modes of administration. Methods We carried out a methodological experiment, with a 2 (interviewer-administered vs. self-administered surveys) × 2 (paper-and-pencil vs. computer-assisted surveys) factorial design. A total of 181 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to one of these conditions and completed the International Self-Report Delinquency 3 (ISRD3) questionnaire. Results Findings showed an increased odds of reporting offending behavior in selfadministered surveys, compared to face-to-face interviews. Paper-and-pencil and computer-assisted modes resulted in comparable estimates of offending. Conclusions This experiment provides evidence that SRO provide more accurate estimates of offending behavior using self-administered surveys.
De acordo com a Teoria Geral do Crime as práticas parentais ineficazes são a principal causa do b... more De acordo com a Teoria Geral do Crime as práticas parentais ineficazes são a principal causa do baixo autocontrolo que, por sua vez, o autocontrolo será o principal responsável pelo desenvolvimento de comportamentos delinquentes. No presente estudo temos como objetivo analisar empiricamente estas afirmações, ou seja, verificar a influência do funcionamento familiar no autocontrolo e seguidamente analisar se o autocontrolo é mediador na relação entre o funcionamento familiar e a delinquência juvenil. Neste estudo participaram 181 adolescentes, com idades compreendidas entre os 12 e os 19 anos de idade e a frequentar escolas da área da Grande Lisboa. Os instrumentos utilizados foram os seguintes: escala de coesão e flexibilidade familiar (FACES IV), escala de autocontrolo e escala de variedade de delinquência. Os resultados demonstraram uma relação positiva entre o funcionamento familiar e o autocontrolo e uma relação negativa entre o autocontrolo e os comportamentos de delinquência. ...
Objectives Self-reported offending is one of the primary measurement methods in criminology. In t... more Objectives Self-reported offending is one of the primary measurement methods in criminology. In this article, we aimed to systematically review the experimental evidence regarding measurement bias in self-reports of offending. Methods We carried out a systematic search for studies that (a) included a measure of offending, (b) compared self-reported data on offending between different methods, and (c) used an experimental design. Effect sizes were used to summarize the results. Results The 21 pooled experiments provided evidence regarding 18 different types of measurement manipulations which were grouped into three categories, i.e., Modes of administration, Procedures of data collection, and Questionnaire design. An analysis of the effect sizes for each experimental manipulation revealed, on the one hand, that selfreports are reliable across several ways of collecting data and, on the other hand, selfreports are influenced by a wide array of biasing factors. Within these measurement biases, we found that participants' reports of offending are influenced by modes of administration, characteristics of the interviewer, anonymity, setting, bogus pipeline, response format, and size of the questionnaire. Conclusions This review provides evidence that allows us to better understand and improve crime measurements. However, many of the experiments presented in this review are not replicated and additional research is needed to test further aspects of how asking questions may impact participants' answers.
A Escala de Avaliação da Coesão e Flexibilidade Familiar, desenvolvida no âmbito do estudo do Mod... more A Escala de Avaliação da Coesão e Flexibilidade Familiar, desenvolvida no âmbito do estudo do Modelo Circumplexo dos Sistemas Conjugais e Familiares, permite avaliar o funcionamento familiar através de um diagnóstico relacional. Este instrumento está subdividido em seis subescalas que permitem uma avaliação dos níveis equilibrados e disfuncionais (extremamente baixos e extremamente elevados) das dimensões de coesão e flexibilidade familiar. O Pacote FACES IV inclui ainda dois questionários que permitem a avaliação da comunicação e satisfação familiar. O presente artigo analisa as propriedades psicométricas dos instrumentos incluídos no Pacote FACES IV junto de uma amostra de adolescentes portugueses em dois estudos. No primeiro estudo, incluímos um grupo comunitário de 757 estudantes e um grupo clínico de 67 adolescentes que recorrem a consultas psiquiátricas. Os resultados deste estudo revelaram um modelo fatorial de 24 itens com qualidades psicométricas satisfatórias, permitindo c...
According to the General Theory of Crime ineffective parenting practices are the major cause of l... more According to the General Theory of Crime ineffective parenting practices are the major cause of low self-control, which, in turn, will be the main responsible of the development of delinquent behaviors. On the present research we aim to analyze these claims, in other words, we will test the influence of family functioning on self-control, and analyze the mediating role of self-control in the relationship between family functioning and juvenile delinquency. 181 adolescents participated in this study, aged between 12 and 19 years old and attending schools in the Great Lisbon area. The instruments were the following: Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES IV), the Self-Control Scale, and the Delinquency Variety Scale. The results showed a positive relationship between family functioning and self-control and a negative relationship between self-control and delinquent behaviors. Furthermore, self-control fully mediated the relationship between family functioning and juv...
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