An empirical examination of adolescence-limited offending: A direct test of Moffitt's maturity gap thesis

PurposeProvide the first direct test of Moffitt's (1993) hypothesis linking the maturity gap with adolescent delinquency.MethodsData were drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) and a direct measure of the maturity gap was constructed. Negative binomial regression models—survey-corrected to account for the Add Health research design—were estimated.ResultsConsistent with Moffitt's theory, the results of the analyses revealed that the maturity gap was predictive of minor forms of delinquency and drug use but not of more serious types of offending behaviors for males. Findings were less supportive of Moffitt's hypothesis for females.ConclusionsMoffitt's maturity gap thesis is a viable explanation of adolescent delinquency, especially for males. This portion of the theory, which has largely gone unexamined, warrants further inquiry from criminologists.

Research Highlights
► This study provides a direct test of the maturity gap thesis by analyzing data drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health).
► Consistent with the theory, the results of the analyses revealed that the maturity gap was predictive of minor forms of delinquency and drug use but not of more serious types of offending behaviors for males.
► Findings were less supportive of Moffitt's hypothesis for females. Implications for Moffitt's theory are discussed.