The Structure of Unstructured Time and Crime
A Spare Time Model
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8401003 |
|---|---|
| Authors | David Buil-Gil (0000-0002-7549-6317, University of Manchester, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 66 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 1-22 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The British Journal of Criminology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0007-0955 • E-ISSN: 1464-3529 |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1093/bjc/azaf035 |
| OpenAlex | W4410282992 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 56 |
This article examines the association of unstructured spare time with individual differences in crime and crime trends, highlighting the need for an unstructured spare time model in criminology. Much of what we previously understood as the direct association of traditional predictors of crime such as self-control, parental supervision, or peer influence with crime, may be mediated by individuals’ unstructured spare time. The article presents two studies: one examining individual differences in youth crime, and another analysing crime trends. These studies provide evidence that the direct and mediating associations of spare time with offending and deviance may surpass those of self-control, parental supervision, and peer influence. Additionally, temporal variations in spare time appear to be associated with changes in crime
Operations management · Spare part · Spare time · Computer Science · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Crime, Illicit Activities, and Governance · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Engineering
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| Unique citing works | 4 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 4 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 4 |