SITUATIONAL VICTIMIZATION AMONG ADOLESCENTS: EXPLORING THE ROLE OF MORALITY, SELF-CONTROL AND LIFESTYLE RISK

Abstract: The present study aims to explore the role of self-control, morality and lifestyle risk (core elements of Situational Action Theory-SAT) on adolescent victimization. Although previous studies produced plenty of support to the influence of self-control and lifestyle risk on victimization, no study so far measured level of morality as predictor of victimization. The study focuses especially on exploring the effect of morality in causation of victimization among adolescent. Analyses are based on data collected for Malmö Individual and Neighbourhood Development Study (MINDS) during 2011-12, when adolescents attained at the age between 16 and 17. Pearson’s correlation and binary logistic regression are run to examine relation and the magnitude of effect of each predictor. Strong relation of adolescent victimization with lifestyle risk and self-control is revealed in this study, that awarded strong support to the existing studies. A correlation between morality and victimization among adolescent also identified. Overall findings step-ahead the possibilities of application of the core elements (morality, self-control and lifestyle risk) of SAT in explanation of victimization. Gender remains as a strong predictor of adolescent victimization, where significant gender differences in level of morality is identified.