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This paper investigates the psychological effects from stock market returns. Using an FBI database of over 55 million daily reported crime incidents across the United States, crime is proposed as a measure of psychological well-being. The evidence suggests that stock returns affect the well-being of not only investors but also noninvestors. Specifically, a contemporaneous negative (positive) relationship between daily stock market returns and violent crime rates is found for investors (noninvestors). A similar relationship is also found between local earnings surprises and violent crime. The contrasting relationships for investors and noninvestors suggests that relative wealth may influence well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper empirically investigates the impact of broadband diffusion on crime. I employ state-level data on high-speed Internet penetration and criminal activity in the United States from 2000 to 2012. To tackle the endogeneity of broadband diffusion, I rely on a set of technologically motivated instrumental variables. The outcomes show that the impact of high-speed Internet diffusion on crime is negative and it is not significant for more severe offenses. Concerning the underlying mechanism, I find support for the hypothesis that the broadband-driven crime reduction occurs through a voluntary incapacitation effect, as people change their leisure time allocation by spending more time at home and off the streets. This in turn reduces the availability of criminal opportunities – and crime levels. Finally, my results suggest that the voluntary incapacitation effect concerns both sides of criminal interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of sexual crimes committed against women in the United States is high, and the prevalence of these crimes is on the rise. Although these crimes are heinous and have severe consequences on survivors, they are highly excused in U.S. society, and the responsibility for the assault is often shifted from the perpetrators to the survivors. In this paper, we will review the influence of willing substance use and race and ethnicity on the attribution of blame and responsibility in rape crimes. More specific cally, we will present the results of an analysis of variance (N = 316) of (a) the willing use of alcohol, marijuana, and heroin and (b) race and ethnicity (Black, Hispanic, and White) on blame attribution in rape crimes. Additionally, we will review the findings on the influence of participants' demographics. Our results provide support for previous findings regarding the impact of alcohol and introduce new insight about the influence of race and ethnicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, same-sex intimate partner violence (IPV) was ignored, and victims often experienced high rates of harassment and intimidation from police, leading to low reporting of same-sex IPV incidents, victims' unwillingness to cooperate with the police, and common arrests in such incidents. Although the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) legalized and legitimized same-sex marriages and relationships in the U.S., mandating the inclusion of same-sex partners in protective order laws and yielding collateral benefits for victims of same-sex IPV, it is unclear if the decision has had a positive effect on same-sex IPV clearance rates. This study uses National Incident-Based Reporting System data to compare IPV clearance (arrest, dual arrest, victim noncooperation, and prosecution declined) pre (2013/2014) and post (2016/2017) Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). Regression results show no substantial changes in same-sex IPV clearance after Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). Compared to opposite-sex IPV, same-sex IPV was less likely to be cleared by arrest but much more likely to be cleared by dual arrest, victim noncooperation, and prosecution declined. Same-sex IPV involving Black couples and married partners were also less likely to be cleared by arrest but more likely to be cleared by dual arrest than Black/White same-sex IPV and incidents involving unmarried partners, respectively. Moreover, same-sex IPV victims experience unfavorable criminal justice outcomes in states with mandatory arrest policies but fare better in states that supported same-sex relationships prior to Obergefell. The implications of these findings for practice and research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses how participation in the Federal crop insurance program influences agricultural loan delinquencies. To achieve this objective, we use 1994–2015 county‐level panel data for corn production in the Midwestern United States (US). Traditional linear fixed effect (FE) models, instrumental variable‐based FE estimation, and several robustness checks are used in the empirical analysis. Estimation results suggest that counties with higher levels of crop insurance participation tend to have statistically lower rates of agricultural loan delinquency. This is evidence that the US crop insurance program helps reduce financial stress and facilitates the continued viability of the agricultural credit system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]