Sex-Based Differences in Criminal Victimization of Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis

While general criminological theories, including low self-control, social bonds, routine activities, and risky lifestyles are<br>increasingly used to explain criminal victimization, there is some evidence these theories may omit important sex<br>differences. To date, the empirical evidence remains mixed, which may be an artifact of methodological differences. This<br>study used three-level meta-analytic methods to assess the use of various predictors derived from criminological theory on a<br>variety of criminal victimization types, sample characteristics, and differences in research design. In a total sample of<br>166,650 females and 129,988 males in 115 studies using 95 unique datasets of adolescents (average age = 10–19), the metaanalysis revealed that elements of risky lifestyles are largely sex-neutral, while some sex-specific effects of bonds, routine<br>activities, and prior victimization are observed. Implications for criminological theory, developmental and life course<br>res