Analysis of the relationship between the childhood experiences of abuse and just world belief in delinquent adolescents

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the level of exposure to childhood abuse and belief in just world in delinquent adolescents and compare them with their non-delinquent peers. Methods: The sample consists of 200 delinquent male adolescents between the ages of 15-18. A Sociodemographic Information Form, General and Personal Just World Belief Scale and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire were used to obtain data. Results: The analysis revealed a significant relationship between level of exposure to childhood abuse and just world belief in delinquent adolescents. When the level of exposure to childhood experiences of abuse increases, adolescents' belief in general and personal just world decreases. Belief in a just world in delinquent adolescents who have been previously incarcerated found to be weaker than that of adolescents who are in a detention center for the first time. Previously incarcerated adolescents also scored higher in terms of level exposure to childhood abuse. Comparison of the mean scores of the participants of the current study with that of non-delinquent participants in other studies revealed that delinquent adolescents have higher levels of exposure to childhood abuse and weaker belief in general just world than adolescents without any criminal record. Discussion: The results of the current study are expected to contribute to a better understanding of adolescent delinquency in relation to childhood history of abuse. The findings underline the role of childhood abuse as a potential risk factor that shatters the adolescents' belief in a just world and puts them in conflict with law. These preliminary findings should be supported by further research that explore the causal relationships between these variables.