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ABSTRACT
This study integrates one of the most empirically tested individual characteristics (self-control) with situational factors (risky lifestyle) in an attempt to explain violent victimization. Data came from a diverse sample of 3,907 middle school students who participated in the G.R.E.A.T. program during the 1993-94 school year. Gang membership is used as a proxy variable to measure risky lifestyle. It is hypothesized that (1) gang membership mediates the effect of self-control on violent victimization and (2) self-control and gang membership interact to amplify the risk of violent victimization. Logistic regression was used to analyze the prevalence of violent victimization and negative binomial regression was used to analyze frequency of violent victimization. When other extraneous factors were controlled, evidence was found to support these hypotheses. A discussion of the findings, as well as theoretical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
