Citation

Benda BB, Toombs NJ. J. Crim. Justice 1997; 25(5): 409-423.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0047-2352(97)00024-X

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This is a study of 601 participants in the only boot camp in Arkansas, the purpose of which is to examine the deviance syndrome perspective with a twofold approach: (1) determine whether drug use, property crimes, and crimes against persons among boot camp participants represent one factor through the use of factor analysis procedures, and (2) investigate whether the same sociodemographic and theoretical variables predict each of these forms of deviant behavior. Proponents of the deviance syndrome perspective argue that these forms of deviant behavior are manifestations of one underlying problem and, therefore, the same theoretical factors suffice to explain each form. Findings fail to support either of these assumptions. Items measuring each form of deviant behavior loaded on the separate factors of drug use, property crimes, and crimes against persons. Moreover, analyses of elements from control, strain, and social learning theories indicate that different predictors are relevant to each form of deviance. Implication of these findings for conceptual development are discussed.