UTSA Electronic Theses and Dissertations
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This collection contains electronic UTSA theses and dissertations (ETDs), primarily from 2005 to present. The collection is not comprehensive; search the UTSA Library Catalog for a complete list of UTSA theses and dissertations.
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Browsing UTSA Electronic Theses and Dissertations by Department "Criminal Justice"
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Item A comprehensive test of labeling theory's intervening mechanisms(2015) Fernandez, Allison J.Labeling theory hypothesizes that once an individual is labeled as a deviant that individual will act in accordance with the expectations of the deviant label imposed upon them by others by committing subsequent acts of delinquency due to blocked access to conventional opportunities, an alteration of self-identity, and the acquisition of delinquent peers. While labeling theory is clear in its expectations, the majority of prior research has focused solely on testing for the general idea of deviance amplification (i.e., delinquency is increased following a justice system contact); this has resulted in a lack of clear support of labeling due to the theoretical propositions not being explicitly modeled (Barrick, 2014; Tittle, 1980; Paternoster and Iovanni, 1989). This study expands upon previous research of labeling theory by exploring the extent to which delinquent labels, specifically an involuntary police contact, lead to blocked access to conventional opportunities, the formation of a negative self-identity, and acquisition of delinquent peers using a sample of adolescents. This study uses data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN) to provide a comprehensive empirical test of labeling theory using path analysis. The use of path analysis provides a more comprehensive theoretical test of labeling theory allowing for the modeling of multiple mediating pathways. Results indicate that an involuntary police contact has a significant direct effect on negative self-identity and association with delinquent peers, net of fourteen control variable constructs. Importantly, delinquent peers were the only significant mediator found to influence subsequent delinquency. In sum, there is a statistically significant total effect, marginally significant direct effect, and statistically significant total indirect effect of police contact on subsequent delinquency. Delinquent peers serves as the only significant mediator of the relationship through police contact and subsequent delinquency. Approximately 57% of the total effect of police contact on delinquency is direct and 43% is indirect, operating exclusively through the delinquent peers mechanism. Due to these findings, criminal justice agents, communities, and school officials should seek to reduce the negative effects resulting from an involuntary police contact. Particularly, the acquisition of delinquent peers should be targeted in order to decrease these formations and policy efforts should also seek to prevent adverse changes in identity.Item An Empirical Assesment of the Direct and Indirect Effects of Mental Health Disorders on Probation Outcomes(2017) Maliek, Nishita AminProbation is the most common correctional sanction in the United States. A growing concern within probation is the continuous growth of the population of individuals who suffer from mental health disorders and the adverse outcomes they face (Wolff et al., 2014). Using data from one urban probation agency in the Southwestern United States, the current study compared individuals on a specialized mental health caseload, and individuals on standard supervision to determine if individuals with mental health disorders are at an increased risk of probation failure. The results of the study indicate that individuals supervised on the mental health caseload have a higher prevalence of risk factors, leading to an increased prevalence of probation failure relative to the general population of probationers. The results of the study are relevant to probation departments, and imply that departments should focus on reducing the prevalence of risk factors within this population. This may be best accomplished by re-allocating resources, and engaging in evidence based practices to reduce probation failure amongst the probation population with mental health disorders. A full discussion of the study results, and its implications are provided below.Item An empirical test of low self-control theory among Hispanic youths(2010) Vera, Eliseo P.Gottfredson and Hirschi's (1990) general theory of crime has received empirical attention on its assertions. However, a majority of prior studies failed to examine the theory's applicability using Hispanic samples. Using a Hispanic youth sample of 278 adolescents from two junior high schools in a school district in a southern United States city, the current study examines whether parental practice is a main source of development of self-control which in turn leads to deviant behaviors. The findings indicate that parenting factors were not found to be contributors to the development of self-control, contrary to the theory's prediction. Further analysis revealed that other factors such as the neighborhood environment was found to be an important source of self-control. However, the findings show that low self-control has a significant effect on various types of delinquent behaviors in that youths with low self-control are more likely to engage in delinquency, consistent with the theory's prediction. Theoretical implication of the current findings and directions for future research are discussed in the conclusion and discussion section.Item Assessing a Routine Activities Explanation for Sexual Violence Victimization among College Students(2017) Crites, ThomasSexual violence has played a prominent role on college campuses across the United States over the last decade. While crime on college campuses, in general, decreased since the early 2000s, sexual violence displayed a continuous upward trend from 2010--2013 among college students. Victimization theories suggest that victims of crime, including sexual violence, are not random targets; rather, victims may actually contribute to the likelihood of victimization. According to Lifestyle Theory, victimization is related to lifestyle choices. Within this framework, Routine Activities Theory suggests that certain aspects of a college student's lifestyle may contribute to the likelihood of sexual victimization through contact with motivated offenders, suitability as a target for crime, and the absence of capable guardians. This study investigates how specific college student lifestyle characteristics affect the likelihood of sexual violence victimization. Using a sample of college students from the American College Health Association surveyed in the spring semesters of 2013, 2014, and 2015, fixed effects logistic regression models examine whether participation in Greek life, changing socialization circles while drinking, living arrangements, and employment status affect the likelihood of sexual victimization among males and females, respectively. Overall, the results of this study show that each of these lifestyle choices/routine activities of undergraduate college students examined affects the likelihood of sexual violence victimization, although not always in the expected direction. Moreover, there were no significant gender differences in the influence of these four lifestyle factors/routine activities on victimization risk. The discussion focuses on the implications of the results for theory and policy.Item Depression and offending in a sample of Mexican American adolescents(2008) Gonzalez, Jorge EduardoThis study examined the relationship between depression and delinquency in a sample of Mexican American students in Grades 7 through 9 in a South Texas U.S. School district (n=3,186) as part of a longitudinal (seven wave) study of risky health behaviors among adolescents. The survey instrument included questions regarding depressive symptoms, personal stress, self-esteem, delinquency and drug use. The sample is drawn from a lower-income majority Hispanic school district and is considered representative of the Mexican-American population in the United States. There was an increased prevalence of minor drug use in students in higher grades, students with a higher amount of absences from school, as well as students with higher occurrences of depressive symptoms. In regards to major drug use there was an increased prevalence in students with higher amount of absences from school, as well as students with higher occurrences of depressive symptoms. Minor delinquency was prevalent in those students with higher absences from school, as well as those with higher occurrences of depressive symptoms. Serious delinquency was present in students with a higher amount of absences from school, as well as those students with higher occurrences of depressive symptoms. The study revealed that adolescents who have more absences from school and those with higher occurrences of depressive symptoms are more likely to engage in drug use as well as delinquent activities. Furthermore, evidence was found that students who experience lower amounts of personal stress and those with high levels of self-esteem are less likely to partake in drug use and delinquent activities. The need for psychiatric intervention should be considered for those adolescents with higher depressive symptoms so to prevent adolescent delinquency and drug use.Item Differential susceptibility in successful psychopathy: a genetic plasticity explanation of heterogeneity among psychopathic individuals(2016) Tanksley, Peter T.Psychopathy is a disorder associated with violent and persistent antisocial behavior. Research has shown, however, that a psychopathic subtype exists that does not perpetrate these same violent and antisocial acts—this subtype is referred to as 'successful psychopaths.’ Successful psychopaths are able to act in more prosocial ways and achieve more adaptive outcomes than their 'unsuccessful’ counterparts. Although researchers have identified these two types of psychopaths, relatively less research has been devoted to understanding the factors that may explain why some psychopathic individuals are more successful than others. Using a sample from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), this study attempts to explain the disparate outcomes of psychopathic individuals by applying a differential susceptibility model (Belsky, 1997). Differential susceptibility theory (DST) states that those high susceptibility are more reactive to both positive and negative environmental stimuli while those low in susceptibility are less reactive to all types of environmental stimuli. This study hypothesizes that psychopathic individuals who are high in genetic plasticity (a type of susceptibility factor) will, when compared to those low in plasticity, achieve more adaptive outcomes when exposed to protective factors and achieve more maladaptive ones when exposed to risk factors. The findings and implications for future research are discussed.Item Does missing the maturity gap predict drug abstention among adolescents?: An analysis of Moffitt's developmental taxonomy(2010) Mendez, ValarieMoffitt's developmental taxonomy (1993) has generated considerable empirical research over the past two decades, most of which has centered on life-course persistent and adolescence-limited offenders. In an effort to expand the literature, this study examined the taxonomy's maturity gap hypothesis which links this developmental event to deviance and delinquency. Using this theoretical framework, I tested Moffitt's hypothesis to determine if those who "miss" the maturity gap are more likely to abstain from the drug use. Using data drawn from the National Longitudinal Study for Adolescent Health (Add Health), and employing the Barnes and Beaver (2010) statistical model, this study assessed the likelihood of drug abstention among male and female adolescents. Utilizing logistic regression, this analysis examined the impact of the maturity gap on drug abstention while controlling for other known correlates of drug use (e.g., age, self-control). The findings partially supported the taxonomy, indicating that the maturity gap was significantly and negatively related to minor drug use abstention for males, but not for females. Implications for Moffitt's theory and suggestions for future research are discussed.Item Domestic violence in heterosexual relationships: Myths, facts and future(2010) Otto, Anabell A.Domestic violence has been described as a violent cycle that often escalates over time and in some cases, results in death. It has been explained as the effect of learned behavior, the result of psychological effects and excused under the loss of control theory. While the Power and Control Wheel is the current theory of choice, it does not fully explain the logic behind domestic violence. In this thesis I will explore the research, evidence and theory of domestic violence. The intent is to describe the nature and extent of domestic violence, discern the strongest theoretical explanations and identify social and policy changes likely to reduce the prevalence of this type of abuse.Item Early Exclusionary Discipline, Police Contact, and Legal Cynicism among Urban-Born, At-Risk Youth(2020) Leos-Martinez, JonathanResearch has revealed that exclusionary discipline elevates the risk of arrest, incarceration, and associated deleterious outcomes. Few if any studies, however, have examined the link between exclusionary discipline during childhood and the development of legal cynicism. This present thesis aims to address this void in research using data from the Fragile Families and Child Well Being Study (FFCWS). Police contact as well as five contextual features of police contact are also examined as mediators in the full sample of youth as well as those who report a history of police stops. Results reveal that early exclusionary discipline is a significant predictor of increased legal cynicism. This finding holds true among youth stopped by the police and is partially explained by officer intrusiveness and perceptions of procedural justice. The findings point to a need for establishing a positive school culture and employing restorative justice practices in the school setting in order to reduce the number of youth who experience early exclusionary discipline and minimize the negative repercussions of early punishment experiences.Item Efficacy of truancy intervention and prevention programs: Student perceptions and the influence of social bonds and self-control(2013) Swinford, Crystal H.Research has linked truancy to myriad social and behavioral problems and is a salient risk factor for referral to the juvenile justice system. This study seeks to add to the current literature on the effectiveness of intervention and prevention programs by providing information currently lacking in the field: the perceptions of actual students. Additionally, truancy intervention and prevention programs frequently cite the use of sanctions and the importance of parental involvement to address truancy. This study investigates the impact of social bonds, student-parent as compared to student-school attachment and its impact on truancy by utilizing social control theory and accessing the influence of self-control. Data was collected from high school students using an anonymous, self-reported survey instrument, designed specifically for this study and developed based on research regarding existing truancy intervention and prevention strategies, social bond and self-control measures. Statistical analyses were conducted in order to determine the relationships between social bonding, self-control, and truancy prevention. Results provide insight to student perceptions regarding effective truancy reduction approaches and inform policy makers on potential deterrents to consider when developing truancy intervention and prevention programs.Item Exploring social adjustment and alcohol issues within South Asian communities(2011) Chaudhry, KeranSouth Asian Muslim American (SAMA) communities have a multi-generational presence in the United States. SAMA communities face old problems in new landscapes and new problems with traditional perspectives. One social-issue SAMA communities face is the increase of alcohol use and abuse. This exploratory study presents data that has primarily been collected to determine if, and what, resources are needed in community-based programs to address alcohol consumption and abuse in SAMA communities. The study focuses on the prevalence of alcohol consumption and social adjustment stressors that may be influencing causal factors of alcohol abuse in SAMA communities.Item Exposure to crime and future delinquency: Examining the moderating influence of gender(2013) Richards, CaitlinFew studies have simultaneously examined the relative influence of exposure to various sources of crime and violence on subsequent delinquent behavior. Further, it is unclear whether exposure to these sources affects males and females in similar ways. The current study addresses this gap in the literature by looking at the relative contributions of child physical abuse, witnessing serious violence, and parental incarceration, and how they interact with gender to influence self-reported violent offending and arrest. To do this, longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample of adolescents were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. The sample was split by gender and difference of coefficients tests were conducted to determine whether the coefficients for child physical abuse, witnessing serious violence, and parental incarceration were significantly different for males and females. Results show that child physical abuse increases self-reported violent offending for males, but not females. Witnessing serious violence is statistically significant in predicting future self-reported violent offending for both males and females, though the effect is stronger for females. All three exposure variables- child physical abuse, witnessing serious violence, and parental incarceration- significantly increased the likelihood of arrest, with no gender differences observed.Item Family preservation in juvenile justice: The examination of two family preservation programs in Texas(2010) Eichelberger, Rebecca LynnThis research examined the impact of a short-term home-based family services program with adjudicated juveniles to determine whether or not programs such as these are successful in improving family relationships and keeping youth from being removed from their homes. Agency collected data were analyzed to compare participants against non-participants. Data on participants and non-participants on adjudicated probation between fiscal year 2002 and fiscal year 2007 were obtained from the state agency, the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission (TJPC).Item Gender differences in robbery(2009) Ferguson, TaraMany journals and literature reviews concerning the female criminal have involved more of the traditional female offender, and females who do not commit violent crimes. However, this thesis will examine the female's role in a major violent crime: robbery. Key variables have been examined including weapon use, victim resistance/injury, robbery type, and having accomplices present. A sample of 800 robbery cases from the official records of the San Antonio, Texas Police Department from 2003-2004 have been coded across gender. Reasons and the nature of females committing crimes are covered in an extensive literature review before our analysis. In our analysis Chi-square tests have been performed across the variables to determine these measures of association. Offender motivations and gender differences clearly differ when comparing female and male robbers. The unique data set reveals subtle and substantial differences in the methods used during female robbery cases when compared with males. Further research in this genre should be explored in hopes to make predictions about the nature of violent female criminals and their crimes.Item Generational status and offending among a sample of Hispanic adolescents(2010) Lopez, KristinaThis study examines the relationship between immigration, acculturation, and crime. Research has shown that Hispanics who are more acculturated are more likely to engage in crime (e.g., Morenoff & Astor, 2006), but there is a lack of empirical evidence to explain why this is and little research that has explored Hispanics relative to one another. In an effort to address the shortcomings of previous Hispanic research, this study has two major objectives. First, this study will explore the impact of acculturation, as measured by generational status, on participation in criminal offending among Hispanic adolescents. Second, the study will examine whether ethnicity, net of generational status, predicts criminal offending among Hispanic adolescents. The findings in this study are designed to provide a better understanding of the link between immigration, acculturation, ethnicity, and crime. This study used longitudinal data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN) to assess the independent effects of ethnicity and generational status, as well as additional criminological variables on adolescent criminal offending. Findings indicated that Puerto Rican ethnicity exerts a significant effect on the likelihood of property offending, such that Puerto Ricans are more likely to property offenses than Mexicans and other Hispanics. Age exerted an inverse significant effect on violent and property offending. Specifically, younger Hispanics reported more involvement in offending than older respondents. Unexpectedly, and inconsistent with the extant literature, generational status was not associated with any offending outcomes. Discussion of the findings and recommendations for future research are included.Item Homicide clearance rates: An examination of extralegal and evidentiary factors as influences to homicide solvability(2011) Castro, Elsa L.According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) 2007 Uniform Crime Report, police departments nationwide enjoyed a 90% homicide clearance rate in 1960; however, these same departments are not seeing the same amount of success in the twenty-first century as clearance rates nationally were at 61% in 2006 (Keel, Jarvis, & Muirhead, 2009). To date the body of research on the correlates on homicide clearance rates is lacking and is generally divided between two competing frameworks. These both attempt to explain the factors that determine homicide solvability: 1) extralegal factors, i.e., victim demographics and lower socio-economic communities as the key factors influencing the solvability of a homicide and, 2) evidentiary factors such as location, weapon used, and victim/offender relationship as the determinate factors (McClellan, 2007). The current study will attempt to contribute to the existing literature on homicide clearance rates by exploring which of the above frameworks is more important in determining the solvability of homicides. Specifically, this research examines these factors by conducting a secondary analysis on homicide records from 2007 to 2010 obtained from the San Antonio Police Department. The findings of this study found that extralegal factors were not the most significantly related to homicide solvability. Given the serious nature of homicides, the results here suggest that police investigate all homicides equally regardless of any extralegal characteristics of the case.Item Incarcerated mothers of minor children (IMMC) study: Evaluating access to family programming through a gender lens(2011) Hahl, Jeannie M.In 2007, 1.7 million minor children were the "hidden victims" of parental incarceration. Black non-Hispanic and Hispanic children are more likely than white non-Hispanic children to have a parent in prison. Some of the devastating effects of parental separation due to incarceration include psychosocial difficulties, child displacement, economic hardship, and delinquent behavior in minor children. As to parents of incarcerated children, those who fail to maintain contact with their children face a higher likelihood of recidivism. Parenting classes have been established within many correctional facilities as a means to maintain family bonds during incarceration. The current study collected national data from prison administrators and examined inmate data from a nationally representative dataset to identify parenting programming currently available in female-only prisons and determine what factors are statistically correlated with the likelihood of not using parenting classes. Findings suggest that mother and father inmates who experience a lack of contact with minor children, whether by telephone, mail or visitation are least likely to utilize parenting classes. Finally, the distance between prisons and inmates' families can create a barrier to telephone and visitation contact with minor children. The current study calls for an increase in transportation assistance programs to increase minor child contact and, subsequently, improve parenting class participation.Item Juvenile system mentoring programs in Bexar County: Referrals and recidivism(2011) Enriquez, Arturo, Jr.The purpose of this study is to provide the Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department (BCJPD) with a comparison of the recidivism rates between juvenile probationers court ordered to participate in a mentoring program and an age-matched control group who received no such services. Objectives include learning more about the general profiles of youth referred to mentoring, determining whether participation in mentoring programs has any effect on recidivism, and controlling for demographic and legal variables. Both program (N= 375) and control subsamples (N= 375) entered probation calendar years 2004-2009. In an effort to shed light on the process of referring youth to mentoring programs, this study seeks to provide the BCJPD with a clearer picture of the justice outcomes of program youth to determine whether the program meets with its expectations and goals for this group. It is anticipated that, the results of the research will: (1) provide the BCJPD with a more succinct explanation of the various influential factors involved in recidivism and (2) delineate the differences in recidivism while controlling for mentoring participation status.Item Language development and low self-control: An examination of the role of gender(2009) Amaro, Heather A.Gottfredson and Hirschi's general theory of crime is one of the most frequently tested and empirically supported. The general theory argues that self-control is the key factor underlying criminal behavior. The development of self-control in childhood is attributed primarily to the effectiveness of parenting, although recent research has shown that language development has a significant effect on a person's level of self control. This study builds upon this research by investigating how language development varies by gender and how that variation impacts self-control in adolescence. Using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Program, this thesis will use ordinary least squares regression analyses to examine language development and its impact of self-control within a nationally representative sample of American school-aged children.Item Legal culture and self-defense laws: An examination of the empirical effects of legal culture on the use of self-defense violence(2013) Smith, Douglas M.This study will explore the topic of legal culture regarding self-defense permissibility and its effect on violence. Legal cultures regarding self-defense naturally typologize across the states into retreat, castle, and true man doctrines. The study will feature a multivariate model wherein legal culture will be analyzed to discern its effect on level of violence. Publicly available data available from the U. S. Census and supplemental homicide data sets will thus enable a nationwide comparison of the legal culture-self defense use relationship.