Marina Rezende Bazon

This study tests the General Theory of Crime (GTC) in Brazil, examining self-control and parenting practices as predictors of general and violent delinquency in a socially unequal context. Data from 1,909 adolescents (49.6% female, 48.3% male, and 2.1% non-binary; M _age = 15) were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. Results indicated that family bonding and parental monitoring significantly predicted self-control dimensions (impulsivity and risk-seeking control). Risk-seeking control was significantly associated with both general and violent offending. Family bonding showed a direct association with general offending, while parental monitoring was associated with both outcomes. Overall, findings highlight the relevance of family influence in fostering cognitive skills and regulating criminal behavior, partially supporting the GTC in the Brazilian context.

Cybercrime is increasingly recognized as a global issue, with adolescents being a key group as crime trends shift online. However, relatively little is known about the prevalence of cybercrime, its specific risk factors, and how they differ across high and low-middle-income countries. This highlights the need for more cross-national comparative studies on the cybercriminal behavior of young people. This study examines the prevalence of four types of cybercrime (image-based abuse, online hate speech, cyberfraud, and hacking) among adolescents aged 13 to 17 in Europe and South America ( N = 28,325). Utilizing data from the International Self-Report Delinquency Study 4 (ISRD4), the analysis includes nine countries from Europe (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) and three from South America (Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela). According to our results, there is variation in adolescent cybercrime offending between countries and continents. Overall, cybercrime and hacking were more common in South America, whereas image-based abuse was more prevalent among adolescents from Europe. Cybercrime was associated with low self-control, morality, and anticipated formal sanctions for cybercrimes, whereas peer delinquency was associated with a higher likelihood of offending. In line with situational action theory (SAT), peer delinquency and anticipated formal sanctions for cybercrimes were associated with cybercrime only among those with low or average morality.

The study examines the association between exposure to community violence (EVC) and self-reported antisocial behaviors (CAT), among adolescents attending highly vulnerable educational institutions in Chile and Brazil. A binational sample comprising 2,214 participants (51 % male, 49 % female), who responded two instruments, EEVC and CACSA. Employing an explanatory design with observable variables (DVO), the analysis assessed the relationship between EVC and CAT considering variations by gender and age across both countries. Results indicated higher levels of reported EVC in Brazil (p < .001), whereas Chilean participants exhibited greater levels of CAT (p < .001). Although these inter-country differences were systematic and statistically significant, effect sizes were minimal, suggesting comparable social contexts in both settings. Furthermore, gender moderated the impact of ECV on antisocial behavior, with a stronger association observed among male adolescents. These findings are consistent with international literature, yet they also reveal heightened levels of severity within the studied populations.

This study examines the overlap between victimization and offending among school-attending adolescents aged 13 to 17 in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela. Latent Class Analysis was conducted considering 12 types of offending and 9 forms of victimization experienced over the past 12 months in both offline and online contexts, using data from 9,849 adolescents who participated in the ISRD4 survey. Four profiles emerged: adolescents free from violence and offending (62 %), poly-victims (23.5 %), moderate overlap (9.5 %), and intense overlap (5 %). Gender and age differences were observed: while older females (aged 16-17) exhibited a profile characterized by high probabilities of cyber-offending, their male peers in the same age group showed a profile with higher probabilities of general offending. These findings underscore the need for differentiated and culturally adapted prevention programs, as well as interventions that address both victimization and offending for a comprehensive and effective response.

The objective of this study is to examine how experiences with crime, either as a victim or as an offender, influence adolescents’ moral stance toward crime. The data were drawn from the fourth edition of the International Self-Report Delinquency Study (ISRD4), collected in 92 schools across six cities in Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela, with a total sample of 5,407 students aged 13 to 17. Structural equation modelling showed that previous experiences with victimization or delinquent behaviour had direct effects on adolescents’ current moral posture, assessed through moral beliefs and anticipated shame (if discovered committing a crime). This effect was mediated by closeness to parents and to delinquent peers. The implications of these results are discussed, emphasizing the role that crime prevention may play in shaping adolescents’ moral postures.

Victimisation and offending, in particular, the ‘victim-offender overlap, are linked to increased risk of mental health problems, likely due to their traumatic nature’. However, research on the overlap often overlooks serious and virtual crimes, and in Brazil studies on this overlap are scarce, despite high rates of youth violence. This study examined whether involvement in crimes – as offender only, victim only, or victim-offender (versus non-involved) – is associated with increased anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and ADHD among Brazilian adolescents. Data from 1,624 adolescents (13–17 years; M = 15.06; SD = 1.16) from the ISRD4 survey were analysed. Linear regression revealed that victim-offenders have the worst outcomes. Anxiety/depression effects were higher for victims-only compared to offenders, while suicidal ideation was higher for offenders. ADHD effects were absent for offenders. Findings highlight the mental health needs among victim-offenders and the specific needs of offenders only.

This study is part of the International Self-Report Delinquency Study (ISRD4) and examines data from 4,558 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 from Brazil and Mexico. From a cross-cultural perspective, it estimates the prevalence of offences reported as motivated by revenge and hate. In addition, logistic regression models with stepwise variable selection were used to test psychological and social variables, as well as victimisation, on the likelihood of such offences. Prevalence rates were low, but online hate speech stood out with a rate of over 6%. The most frequently associated psychological variable was a pro-vengeance attitude, followed by low self-control. The most prominent social variables were family-related problems, including disruption, conflicts, and abuse/victimisation. Being Mexican reduced the likelihood of involvement in weapon carrying and assault, but increased the likelihood of involvement in online hate speech when considering victimisation. Taken together, the data provided considerable support for the propositions of the General Strain Theory.

This study examined self-control levels in a sample of 1,828 Brazilian students aged 13 to 17, focusing on gender differences in self-control and offending behaviors, as well as parental monitoring and family bonding. The data were obtained from the Brazilian ISRD4 school dataset, which was collected in public and private schools across two cities in the state of São Paulo. Descriptive (mean, median and standard deviation) and comparative (t-tests) analyses were conducted. Offending behaviors were more frequent and diverse among boys in both the past year and over their lifetime. While no major differences were found in overall self-control levels between girls and boys, when looking at the self-control’s dimensions, there were differences in sensation-seeking and impulsivity control, as well as in how much their parents monitored them and in family bonds. Girls showed higher levels of sensation-seeking control and parental monitoring. These findings highlight the importance of considering gender differences and self-control dimensions, particularly sensation-seeking, in research and interventions targeting juvenile delinquency.

A negligência infantil é a forma de maus-tratos mais difícil de ser identificada, especialmente por conta da falta de critérios claros e consistentes. Por sua vez, o acompanhamento equivocado pelos órgãos de proteção pode trazer consequências importantes à família. A presente pesquisa objetivou descrever e sistematizar as características de famílias classificadas como negligentes pelo Conselho Tutelar (n = 14) por meio de uma pesquisa qualitativa, de casos múltiplos. O resultado encontrado foi de que 9 dessas famílias não apresentavam indicadores consistentes de negligência. Dessas, 5 teriam sido notificadas no contexto de disputas de guarda, denotando uso instrumental, não legítimo, dos órgãos de proteção. Esse quadro sugere a importância de maior discussão em torno da temática e, quiçá, do desenvolvimento de protocolos que incluam instrumentos que auxiliem na correta identificação de situações de negligência infantil.Palavras-chave: Maus-tratos infantis; Negligência infantil; Problemas sociais; Pobreza infantil.