Assessing the Relationship between Lifestyle Routine Activities Theory and Online Victimization Using Panel Data

Prior research suggests lifestyle routine activities theory (LRAT) applies to online environments, however, the use of cross-sectional designs may limit the ability to determine whether LRAT behaviors influence online victimization, or if it is victimization that influences the use of LRAT behaviors. The current study used nationally representative panel data from The Netherlands to analyze the relationship between guardianship, exposure, and target attractiveness on hacking and malware victimization, controlling for relevant factors. Using path modeling, two prominent findings emerged. First, of the three LRAT factors, only exposure predicted greater likelihood of cybercrime victimization at a later time. Second, previous cybercrime victimization predicted increases in guardianship and exposure behaviors at a later time. Overall, these findings suggest that cybercrime victimization plays a greater role in changing LRAT behaviors, than LRAT behaviors do in explaining victimization.