University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 11-14-2016 Delving into the Heart of Victimization Risk: Examining the Interactive Relationship between Demographic Factors and Context Amy Sheena Eggers University of South Florida, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons Scholar Commons Citation Eggers, Amy Sheena, "Delving into the Heart of Victimization Risk: Examining the Interactive Relationship between Demographic Factors and Context" (2016). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/6497 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Delving into the Heart of Victimization Risk: Examining the Interactive Relationship between Demographic Factors and Context by Amy Sheena Eggers A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Criminology College of Behavioral and Community Sciences University of South Florida Major Professor: Ojmarrh Mitchell, Ph.D. Wesley Jennings, Ph.D. Terance Miethe, Ph.D. Ráchael A. Powers, Ph.D. Date of Approval: November 9, 2016 Keywords: victimization, demographic factors, conjunctive analysis, routine activities theory Copyright © 2016, Amy Sheena Eggers Dedication Overall, I want to give thanks to God who answered a prayer I made as I walked across the stage for my high school graduation, which was to attain the highest level of education possible, regardless of my field of study. Though it has taken time, patience, endurance, and hard work, I can finally say that I accomplished this aim and for that I am truly grateful. Nonetheless, this dissertation is dedicated to my parents and siblings, who have collectively encouraged me throughout my entire academic career. My immediate family has provided me with the love, strength, and guidance needed to successfully complete the tasks and meet the expectations laid before me. Their continual support allowed me to set, strive for, and achieve my goals through each of the various stages of my graduate program. Their continued backing served to motivate me during times of physical and mental exhaustion, which kept me from losing sight of my overall objective. Acknowledgments First and foremost, I want to give the utmost thanks to my dissertation chair, Dr. Ojmarrh Mitchell. Dr. Mitchell has served as my mentor, professor, and friend. Dr. Mitchell started at USF at the same time I started the graduate program, and soon after we began working together. Since then, Dr. Mitchell’s guidance and encouragement has made my time in the graduate program a more enriching experience. During my time at USF, he taught me how to convert my personal interests into viable research ideas. He also never dismissed any of my ideas and constantly encouraged me to be an independent thinker and remain true to myself, and for that I will always be grateful. I also want to thank my committee members, Dr. Ráchael Powers, Dr. Terance Miethe, and Dr. Wesley Jennings. Dr. Powers not only aided in the completion of my dissertation, but also assisted in formulating my application for the ICPSR Summer Program, which is where my dissertation idea first emerged. Her expertise with the NCVS also made her a key component of my dissertation committee. As for Dr. Miethe, his guidance in my use of Conjunctive Analysis was pivotal and made the examination of my dissertation plausible. I am also very appreciative of his availability for questions and discussions. Lastly, I want to express my gratitude for all the help I have received from Dr. Jennings. His contributions as a committee member led to the successful completion of my dissertation. In addition, I appreciate the willingness of Dr. Jennings to work with me on projects and presentations throughout my time at USF. Table of Contents List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. iii List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ v Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... vi Chapter One: Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................... 4 Chapter Two: Literature Review .................................................................................................... 8 Theoretical Origins ............................................................................................................. 9 Routine Activities Theory .................................................................................................. 9 Macro Level............................................................................................................ 9 Empirical Research ................................................................................................ 12 Micro Level ........................................................................................................... 14 Empirical Research ................................................................................................ 16 Victimization Risk Factors ............................................................................................... 18 Victim Characteristics .......................................................................................... 18 Race and Ethnicity ................................................................................................ 20 Gender .................................................................................................................. 22 Intersectionality .................................................................................................... 26 Victim-Offender Overlap ..................................................................................... 29 LSRA Explanations of Victim Characteristics ................................................................. 32 Critique of Victimization Research ...................................................................... 39 Situational Perspectives on Criminal Victimization ......................................................... 40 Current Study ................................................................................................................... 46 Summary .......................................................................................................................... 47 Endnotes ........................................................................................................................... 48 Chapter Three: Methodology ....................................................................................................... 49 Conjunctive Analysis........................................................................................................ 50 Data .................................................................................................................................. 53 Measures ........................................................................................................................... 55 Dependent Variables ........................................................................................................ 56 Independent Variables ...................................................................................................... 58 Victim .................................................................................................................. 58 Offender ................................................................................................................. 59 Offense .................................................................................................................. 61 i Analytic Strategy .............................................................................................................. 63 Summary .......................................................................................................................... 65 Endnotes ........................................................................................................................... 66 Chapter Four: Results ................................................................................................................... 67 Baseline Analysis ............................................................................................................. 67 Violent and Direct Contact Property Victimization ......................................................... 70 Physical Assault ............................................................................................................... 74 Robbery ............................................................................................................................ 81 Sexual Assault/Rape ......................................................................................................... 86 Personal Theft/Purse