Examining the Parallel Multiple Mediating Roles of Psychopathological Symptoms in the Relationship Between Childhood Traumas and Attitudes Towards Crime
PDF
Cite
Share
Request
Original Research
P: 144-155
August 2024

Examining the Parallel Multiple Mediating Roles of Psychopathological Symptoms in the Relationship Between Childhood Traumas and Attitudes Towards Crime

The Bulletin of Legal Medicine 2024;29(2):144-155
No information available.
No information available
Received Date: 15.01.2024
Accepted Date: 04.06.2024
Online Date: 01.08.2024
Publish Date: 01.08.2024
PDF
Cite
Share
Request

ABSTRACT

Objective

To analyze whether psychopathological symptoms have a mediating effect on the relationship between childhood traumas and criminal attitudes.

Methods

In order to achieve the purpose, the correlational survey model was used, and a total of 391 people over the age of 18 participated online in this study covering the dates January 2023-January 2024 with the convenience sampling technique. Psychopathological symptoms in the relationship between childhood traumas and attitudes towards crime were examined with parallel multiple mediating variable analysis.

Results

It was observed that childhood traumas did not have a direct effect on attitudes towards crime. Similarly, when childhood traumas were controlled and the effects of psychopathological symptoms on attitudes towards crime were examined, it was determined that no psychopathological symptom had a direct effect on attitudes towards violence, but interpersonal sensitivity and hostility symptoms had the possibility of indirectly strengthening the relationship.

Conclusion

It was concluded that attitudes towards crime emerged as a result of the effects of the family, neighborhood and society on the individual rather than a mechanism triggered by individual characteristics or experienced traumas, and that psychopathological characteristics or past traumas trigger the tendency towards crime only if social conditions are appropriate.

Keywords:
Childhood traumas
psychopathological symptoms
attitudes towards crime

References

1
Farahany NA. Neuroscience and behavioral genetics in US criminal law: an empirical analysis. J Law Biosci. 2015;2(3):485-509.https://doi.org/10.1093/jlb/lsv059
2
Raine A. From genes to brain to antisocial behavior. Current Directions in Psychological Science. 2008;17(5):323-328.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2008.00599.x
3
Koenigs, M. The role of prefrontal cortex in psychopathy. Rev Neurosci. 2012;23(3):253-262.https://doi.org/10.1515/revneuro-2012-0036
4
Brower MC, Price BH. Neuropsychiatry of frontal lobe dysfunction in violent and criminal behaviour: a critical review. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2001;71(6):720-726.https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.71.6.720
5
Skeem JL, Cooke DJ. Is criminal behavior a central component of psychopathy? Conceptual directions for resolving the debate. Psychol Assess. 2010;22(2):433.https://doi.org/10.1037/a0008512
6
Simourd DJ, Hoge RD. Criminal psychopathy: A risk-and-need perspective. Criminal Justice and Behavior. 2000;27(2):256-272.https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854800027002007
7
Shirtcliff EA, Vitacco MJ, Graf AR, Gostisha AJ, Merz JL, Zahn-Waxler C. Neurobiology of empathy and callousness: Implications for the development of antisocial behavior. Behav Sci Law. 2009;27:137-171.http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bsl.862
8
Miller PA, Eisenberg N. The relation of empathy to aggressive and externalizing/antisocial behavior. Psychol Bull. 1988;103(3):324-344.https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.103.3.324
9
Uğurlu TT, Tekkanat Ç, Hatice Koç, Ateşçi, F. Alkol ve madde kullanım bozukluğu olan bireylerde suç davranışının retrospektif incelemesi. Pamukkale Tıp Dergisi. 2020;13(3):739-747.https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.745390
10
Haggård‐Grann U, Hallqvist J, Långström N, Möller J. The role of alcohol and drugs in triggering criminal violence: a case‐crossover study. Addiction. 2006;101(1): 100-108.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2005.01293.x
11
Rufrancos HG, Power M, Pickett KE, Wilkinson R. Income Inequality and Crime: A Review and Explanation of the Time–series Evidence. Social Crimonology 2013;1:103.https://doi.org/10.4172/2375-4435.1000103
12
Gümüş E. Crime in urban areas: An empirical investigation. Akdeniz IIBF Dergisi. 2004;3(7):98-109.
13
Çınar M, Taş C. Relationship with Regional Unemployment and Types of Crime in Turkey: Panel Data Approach (Türkiye’de Bölgesel İşsizlik ve Suç Türleri İlişkisi: Panel Veri Yaklaşımı). Business and Economics Research Journal. 2022;13(2):179-197.https://doi.org/10.20409/berj.2022.368
14
Raphael S, Winter-Ebmer R. Identifying the effect of unemployment on crime. The Journal of Law and Economics. 2001;44(1):259-283.https://doi.org/10.1086/320275
15
Lochner L. Education, work, and crime: A human capital approach. International Economic Review. 2004;45(3):811-843.https://www.jstor.org/stable/3663638
16
Yıldız Z. Eğitim düzeyi ile suç türü arasındaki ilişkinin araştırılması. Kuram ve Uygulamada Eğitim Yönetimi. 2004;38(38):278-291.
17
Karataş S. Suça sürüklenen çocuklar ve suç mağduru çocuklara yönelik bir değerlendirme. Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar. 2020;12(4):575-586.https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.711319
18
Green S. Crime, victimisation and vulnerability. In Handbook of victims and victimology (pp. 107-134). Willan, 2012.
19
Akers RL, Jennings WG. Social learning theory. The Handbook of Criminological Theory. 2015;230-240.https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118512449.ch12
20
Buonanno P, Montolio D, Vanin P. Does social capital reduce crime? The Journal of Law and Economics. 2009;52(1):145-170.https://doi.org/10.1086/595698
21
Parks-Leduc L, Feldman G, Bardi A. Personality traits and personal values: A meta-analysis. Pers Soc Psychol Rev. 2015;19(1):3-29.https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868314538548
22
Stacy AW, Newcomb MD. Long-Term Social-Psychological Influences on Deviant Attitudes and Criminal Behavior. In: Kaplan, H.B. (eds) Drugs, Crime, and Other Deviant Adaptations. Longitudinal Research in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Springer, Boston, MA, 1995.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0970-1_4
23
Holsinger AM. Assessing criminal thinking: Attitudes and orientations influence behavior. Corrections Today. 1999;61:22-25.
24
Boda Z, Szabó G. The media and attitudes towards crime and the justice system: A qualitative approach. European Journal of Criminology. 2011;8(4):329-342.https://doi.org/10.1177/147737081141145
25
Chu CM, Daffern M, Thomas SD, Ang Y, Long M. Criminal attitudes and psychopathic personality attributes of youth gang offenders in Singapore. Psychology, Crime ve Law. 2014;20(3):284-301.https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2013.772182
26
McLean K, Wolfe SE, Pratt TC. Legitimacy and the life course: An age-graded examination of changes in legitimacy attitudes over time. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency. 2019;56(1):42-83.https://doi.org/10.1177/0022427818793934
27
LaFree G, Morris NA. Does legitimacy matter? Attitudes toward anti-American violence in Egypt, Morocco, and Indonesia. Crime ve Delinquency. 2012;58(5):689-719.https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128712452958
28
Herrero J, Rodríguez FJ, Torres A. Acceptability of Partner Violence in 51 Societies: The Role of Sexism and Attitudes Toward Violence in Social Relationships. Violence Against Women. 2017;23(3):351-367.https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801216642870
29
Knyazev GG. Behavioural activation as predictor of substance use: mediating and moderating role of attitudes and social relationships. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2004;75(3):309-321.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2004.03.007
30
Stevens RJ, Slavin RE. The cooperative elementary school: Effects on students’ achievement, attitudes, and social relations. American Educational Research Journal. 1995;32(2):321-351.https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312032002321
31
O’Connell BH, O’Shea D, Gallagher S. Enhancing social relationships through positive psychology activities: A randomised controlled trial. The Journal of Positive Psychology. 2016;11(2):149-162.https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2015.1037860
32
Malkoç A, Yalçin I. Relationships among resilience, social support, coping, and psychological well-being among university students. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal. 2015;5(43):35-43.https://doi.org/10.17066/PDRD.22119
33
Holt-Lunstad J, Smith TB, Layton JB. Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-analytic Review. PLoS Med. 2010;7(7):e1000316.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316
34
Cacioppo JT, Cacioppo S. Social relationships and health: The toxic effects of perceived social isolation. Soc Personal Psychol Compass. 2014;8(2):58-72.https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12087
35
Fox BH, Perez N, Cass E, Baglivio MT, Epps N. Trauma changes everything: examining the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and serious, violent and chronic juvenile offenders. Child Abuse Negl. 2015;46:163-173.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.01.011
36
Farina ASJ, Holzer KJ, DeLisi M, Vaughn MG. Childhood Trauma and Psychopathic Features Among Juvenile Offenders. Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol. 2018;62(14):4359-4380.https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X18766491
37
Widom CS. Varieties of violent behavior. Criminology. 2014;52(3):313-344.https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9125.12046
38
Zarse EM, Neff MR, Yoder R, Hulvershorn L, Chambers JE, Chambers RA. The adverse childhood experiences questionnaire: Two decades of research on childhood trauma as a primary cause of adult mental illness, addiction, and medical diseases. Cogent Medicine. 2019;6(1):1581447.https://doi.org/10.1080/2331205X.2019.1581447
39
Grella CE, Stein JA, Greenwell L. Associations among childhood trauma, adolescent problem behaviors, and adverse adult outcomes in substance-abusing women offenders. Psychol Addict Behav. 2005;19(1):43-53.https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-164X.19.1.43
40
Mills JF, Kroner DG, Forth AE. Measures of Criminal Attitudes and Associates (MCAA): development, factor structure, reliability, and validity. Assessment. 2002;9(3):240-253.https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191102009003003
41
Nergiz H, Işıklı S. Suça Yönelik Tutumlar ve İlişkiler Ölçeği Türkçe Formu’nun Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalışması. Türk Psikiyatri Dergisi. 2019;32(2):118-128.https://doi.org/10.5080/u23316
42
Dağ İ. Belirti tarama listesi (SCL-90-R)’nin üniversite öğrencileri için güvenirliği ve geçerliği. Türk Psikiyatri Dergisi. 1991;2:5-12.
43
Bernstein DP, Fink L, Handelsman L, Foote J, Lovejoy M, Wenzel K, et al. Initial reliability and validity of a new retrospective measure of child abuse and neglect. Am J Psychiatry. 1994;151(8):1132-1136.https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.151.8.1132
44
Şar V, Öztürk E, İkikardeş, E. Çocukluk Çağı Ruhsal Travma Ölçeğinin Türkçe Uyarlamasının Geçerlilik ve Güvenilirliği. Türkiye Klinikleri J Med Sci. 2012;32(4):1054-1063.https://doi.org/10.5336/medsci.2011-26947
45
Hayes AF. Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach. New York: The Guilford Press, 2013.
46
Yüksel M, Gökçearslan Çifci E. Yetişkin Hükümlülerin Çocukluk Çağı Travma Düzeyinin Bazı Değişkenler Açısından İncelenmesi. Türkiye Adalet Akademisi Dergisi. 2017;30:57-86. Retrieved fromhttps://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/taad/issue/52660/694016
47
Beşer NG, Arabacı LB, Uzunoğlu G, Bilaç Ö, Ozan E. Suça itilmiş ergenlerde ebeveyn tutumu ve çocukluk çağı travmalarının belirlenmesi. Klinik Psikiyatri Dergisi. 2019;22(2):219-227.
48
Baron SB, Forde DR. Childhood Trauma, Criminogenic Social Schemas, and Violent Crime, Deviant Behavior. 2020;41(8):991-1004.https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2019.1596534
49
DeLisi M, Fox BH, Fully M, Vaughn MG. The effects of temperament, psychopathy, and childhood trauma among delinquent youth: A test of DeLisi and Vaughn’s temperament-based theory of crime. Int J Law Psychiatry. 2018;57:53-60.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2018.01.006
50
Christ C, de Waal MM, Dekker JJM, van Kuijk I, van Schaik DJF, Kikkert MJ, et al. Linking childhood emotional abuse and depressive symptoms: The role of emotion dysregulation and interpersonal problems. PLoS One. 2019;14(2):e0211882.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211882
51
Berzenski SR, Yates TM. A Developmental Process Analysis of the Contribution of Childhood Emotional Abuse to Relationship Violence, Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment ve Trauma. 2010;19(2):180-203.https://doi.org/10.1080/10926770903539474
52
Riggs SA, Kaminski P. Childhood Emotional Abuse, Adult Attachment, and Depression as Predictors of Relational Adjustment and Psychological Aggression, Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment ve Trauma. 2010;19(1):75-104.https://doi.org/10.1080/10926770903475976
53
Bonta J, Law M, Hanson K. The prediction of criminal and violent recidivism among mentally disordered offenders: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin. 1998;123(2):123-142.https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.123.2.123
54
Billen E, Garofalo C, Vermunt JK, Bogaerts S. Trajectories of Self-control in a Forensic Psychiatric Sample: Stability and Association with Psychopathology, Criminal History, and Recidivism. Criminal Justice and Behavior. 2019;46(9):1255-1275.https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854819856051
55
Healy C, Gordon AA, Coughlan H, Clarke M, Kelleher I, Cannon M. Do childhood psychotic experiences improve the prediction of adolescent psychopathology? A longitudinal population-based study. Early Interv Psychiatry. 2019;13(5):1245-1251.https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.12762
56
Dereboy Ç, Şahin DE, Şakiroğlu M, Şafak ÖC. Çocukluk Çağı Travmalarının, Kimlik Gelişimi, Duygu Düzenleme Güçlüğü ve Psikopatoloji ile İlişkisi. Türk Psikiyatri Dergisi 2018;29(4):269-278.
57
Newbury JB, Arseneault L, Moffitt TE, Caspi A, Danese A, Baldwin JR, et al. Measuring childhood maltreatment to predict early-adult psychopathology: Comparison of prospective informant-reports and retrospective self-reports. J Psychiatr Res. 2018;96:57-64.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.09.020
58
Danese A, Baldwin JR. Hidden wounds? Inflammatory links between childhood trauma and psychopathology. Annual Review of Psychology. 2017;68:517-544. doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-010416-044208
59
Örsel S, Karadağ H, Kahiloğullari AK, Aktaş EA. Psikiyatri hastalarında çocukluk çağı travmalarının sıklığı ve psikopatoloji ile ilişkisi. Anadolu Psikiyatri Derg  2011;12(2):130-136.
60
Alvani A, Khosravani V, Khademi E, Seidisarouei M. Prediction of interpersonal sensivity, psychotisim, paranoia, hostility based on the early maladaptive schemas in the murderers. International Journal of Technical Research and Applications. 2015;3(2):166-169.
61
Ezeh L, Umeoji C, Ozioko F. Hostile behavior among Nigerian prison inmates: Differential effects of psychoactive substance and interpersonal sensivity. European Journal of Social Sciences Studies, 2018.http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejsss.v0i0.449
62
Willhelm AR, Pereira AS, Czermainski FR, Nogueira M, Levandowski DG, Volpato RB, et al. Aggressiveness, impulsiveness, and the use of alcohol and drugs: understanding adolescence in different contexts. Trends in Psychology, 2020;28(3):381-398.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-020-00022-6
63
Chamberlain SR, Lust K, Grant JE. Cocaine use in university students: relationships with demographics, mental health, risky sexual practices, and trait impulsivity. CNS Spectr. 2021;26(5):501-508.https://doi.org/10.1017/S1092852920001492
64
Nentjes L, Bernstein D, Arntz A, van Breukelen G, Slaats M. Examining the influence of psychopathy, hostility biases, and automatic processing on criminal offenders’ Theory of Mind. Int J Law Psychiatry. 2015;38:92-99.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2015.01.012
65
Backman H, Laajasalo T, Jokela M, Aronen ET. Parental Warmth and Hostility and the Development of Psychopathic Behaviors: A Longitudinal Study of Young Offenders. J Child Fam Stud. 2021;30:955-965.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-01921-7
66
Kingston DA, Olver ME, Harris M, Booth BD, Gulati S, Cameron C. The relationship between mental illness and violence in a mentally disordered offender sample: evaluating criminogenic and psychopathological predictors. Psychology, Crime ve Law. 2016;22(7):678-700.https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2016.1174862
67
Simons RL, Burt CH. Learning to be bad: Adverse social conditions, social schemas, and crime. Criminology. 2011;49(2):553-598.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9125.2011.00231.x