Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology

Aims & Scope

The Journal of Developmental and Life Course Criminology seeks to advance knowledge and understanding of developmental dimensions of offending across the life-course.

Research that examines current theories, debates, and knowledge gaps within Developmental and Life Course Criminology is encouraged.

The journal welcomes theoretical papers, empirical papers, and papers that explore the translation of developmental and life-course research into policy and/or practice.

Papers that present original research or explore new directions for examination are also encouraged.

The journal also welcomes all rigorous methodological approaches and orientations.

The Journal of Developmental and Life Course Criminology encourages submissions from a broad array of related disciplines including but not limited to psychology, statistics, sociology, psychiatry, neuroscience, geography, political science, history, social work, epidemiology, public health, and economics.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	1.7
2024	1.60

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	7927

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	188

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	0.712

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q1

h-index

Year	Value
2024	23

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Psychology and Social Sciences, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Handling Complex Meta-analytic Data Structures Using Robust Variance Estimates: a Tutorial in R

  Citation: 286

  Authors: Emily E., Elizabeth, Joshua R.

• Human Agency and Explanations of Criminal Desistance: Arguments for a Rational Choice Theory

  Citation: 82

  Authors: Ray, Ronet, Shawn, Erin, Daniel

• The Developmental Nature of the Victim-Offender Overlap

  Citation: 77

  Authors: Amber L., Avshalom, Louise, J. C., Helen L., Honalee, Renate, Nick, Candice L., Jasmin, Terrie E.

• Understanding Race/Ethnicity Differences in Offending Across the Life Course: Gaps and Opportunities

  Citation: 68

  Authors: Alex R.

• Life Course Offending Pathways Across Gender and Race/Ethnicity

  Citation: 53

  Authors: Lisa M., Anna L., Carleen M., April, Troy, Susan M.

• Cohort Profile: The Zurich Project on the Social Development from Childhood to Adulthood (z-proso)

  Citation: 50

  Authors: Denis, Aja, Lilly, Michael J., Manuel

• A Social Support Theory of Desistance

  Citation: 49

  Authors: Cecilia, Francis T., Heejin

• A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis of Randomized Evaluations of the Effect of Child Social Skills Training on Antisocial Development

  Citation: 48

  Authors: Andreas, Friedrich

• Happenings, Acts, and Actions: Articulating the Meaning and Implications of Human Agency for Criminology

  Citation: 47

  Authors: Ray

• The Duration of Criminal Careers: How Many Offenders Do Not Desist up to Age 61?

  Citation: 45

  Authors: David P.

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