Reappraising and Redirecting Research on the Victim–Offender Overlap

Abstract

The strong positive association between offending and victimization, or the victim-offender overlap, has received considerable amount of research attention in recent years. Empirical research has made important strides in unpacking the sources of the phenomenon, but important questions remain unanswered. Ambiguity surrounds the utility of certain theoretical explanations for the overlap, the nature of the phenomenon, and the methodological tools used to examine its etiology. Owing to these knowledge gaps, the scientific meaning of the victim-offender overlap is unclear. Moreover, a number of potentially important theoretical arguments are rarely subject to empirical testing in this line of research. The purpose of this article is to use a narrative review methodology to provide a critical reappraisal of the theoretical, empirical, and methodological research on the victim-offender overlap and offer directions for ways forward to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. This review includes critical analysis of 78 academic publications, along with a table that summarizes the key findings and conclusions from 18 critical empirical studies that have contributed to our understanding of the victim-offender overlap. We offer recommendations for the continued development of theoretical and methodological tools to better understand this complex phenomenon.

Gender Differences in the Victim–Offender Relationship for On- and Offline Youth Violence

“…While victimization may lead to an increased risk of perpetration, perpetration may also increase the risk of subsequent victimization. However, the relationship likely runs in both directions given the victim-offender overlap found in this study and others (Berg & Loeber, 2011;Berg & Mulford, 2020;Jennings et al, 2012;Lauritsen et al, 1991). There have been few longitudinal studies to examine gender differences in the victim-offender overlap for different types of youth violence and thus more research is needed to properly disentangle questions of directionality.…”

“…The victim-offender overlap is a well-documented phenomenon and research suggests that people often cycle in and out of victim and offender roles (Berg & Loeber, 2011; Berg & Mulford, 2020; Jennings, Piquero, & Reingle, 2012; Lauritsen, Sampson, & Laub, 1991). Scholars have explained this consistent finding using various theoretical approaches including social learning theory (Akers & Jennings, 2015), routine activities theory (Cohen & Felson, 1979), general strain theory (Agnew, 1992), and cultural theories (Berg, Stewart, Schreck, & Simons, 2012).…”

A scoping review of recommendations in the English language on conducting research with trauma-exposed populations since publication of the Belmont report; thematic review of existing recommendations on research with trauma-exposed populations

“…Also consider that some participants may be survivors and perpetrators of trauma. When screening participants do not ask them to self-identify or label their experiences, instead ask they about specific experiences they may have had and be aware of any mandating reporting standards [31,93,[121][122][123].…”

Cumulative lifetime violence severity scale: development and initial testing among men

“…Despite evidence that the same etiological pathways (e.g., biological stress response, poverty) underpin models of perpetration and victimization, studies focusing on the intersections of these experiences are scarce [2]. Moreover, a strong reciprocal link between being both a target and perpetrator of interpersonal violence has been established within the criminology field [9].…”