Homicide Offending and Social Control: A National Case Control Study

The current study uses a case-control design to analyze the effect of social control and adult social bonds on the likelihood of an adult committing homicide. Using data from the Survey of Inmates in State Correctional Facilities and the General Social Survey, logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether individual differences in social control and adult social bonds representing marital attachment, parental attachment, commitment to education, and occupational involvement are related to the likelihood of committing homicide. Results show that marital attachment (being married and living with your spouse), parental attachment (living with your kids), and commitment to education (completing at least one year of college) are related to a decrease in the likelihood of committing homicide when controlling for age, race, sex, Hispanic ethnicity, region, and income. Implications for both theory and policy are discussed.