Adult Criminal Behavior Research Articles

Continuing the Interactionist Tradition: Examining the Relationship Between Juvenile Delinquency, Formal Labeling and Adult Criminal Behavior

Continuing the Interactionist Tradition: Examining the Relationship Between Juvenile Delinquency, Formal Labeling and Adult Criminal Behavior

The association between lead exposure and crime: A systematic review.

Prior research has demonstrated an association between lead exposure and criminal behavior at the population-level, however studies exploring the effect of lead exposure on criminal behavior at the individual-level have not been reviewed systematically. The intent of this study is to complete a systematic review of all studies assessing individual-level exposures to lead and the outcomes of crime and antisocial behavior traits. We included peer reviewed studies that were published prior to August 2022 and were classified as cohort, cross-sectional, or case-control. Studies measuring the outcomes of crime, delinquency, violence, or aggression were included. The following databases were searched using a standardized search strategy: ProQuest Environmental Science Database, PubMed, ToxNet and the Public Affairs Information Service (PAIS). Seventeen manuscripts met our inclusion criteria. Blood lead was measured in 12 studies, bone lead in 3 studies, and dentine lead levels in 2 studies. This systematic review identified a wide range of diverse outcomes between exposure to lead at multiple windows of development and later delinquent, criminal and antisocial behavior. A review of all potential confounding variables included within each study was made, with inclusion of relevant confounders into the risk of bias tool. There is limited data at the individual level on the effects of prenatal, childhood, and adolescent lead exposure and later criminal behavior and more evidence is necessary to evaluate the magnitude of the associations seen in this review. Our review, in conjunction with the available biological evidence, suggests that an excess risk for criminal behavior in adulthood exists when an individual is exposed to lead in utero or in the early years of childhood. The authors report no conflict of interest and no funding source. Clinical trial registration: PROSPERO ID: CRD42021268379.

The Effect of Early Childhood Education on Adult Criminality: Evidence from the 1960s through 1990s

We compare the effects of early childhood education on adult criminal behavior across time periods, using administrative crime data that provide significant precision advantages over existing work. We find that improvements in early childhood education led to large (20 percent) reductions in later criminal behavior, reductions that far exceed those implied by estimates of test score gains in prior studies. While the benefits generated account for a large portion of the costs of the education provided, we find substantial relative gains from the targeting of funds to high-poverty areas and areas without existing access to subsidized care. (JEL H75, I21, I26, I28, I32, I38, K42)

A phenomenological analysis of the experiences of death row inmates: an exploratory study from Pakistan

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the experiences of death row inmates using a phenomenological constructivist approach. This approach involves using philosophy and methods of analysis to study the lived experiences of death row inmates. To do this, the researchers used a semi-structured interview schedule with open-ended questions to gather data from a sample of five male inmates aged 30 to 60. The results, analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis, showed that the inmates had experienced major childhood events that contributed to their criminal behavior in adulthood. The major themes identified through the analysis included the inmates’ mental health, predisposition towards criminality, psychological and physical changes after being sentenced to death, social and interpersonal experiences, coping strategies, and perspectives on themselves, others, and the world. In addition to the challenges of solitary confinement and the uncertainty of execution, death row inmates may face other difficulties, such as limited access to visitors, legal counsel, and educational and recreational activities. Overall, the experience of being on death row is often described as one of the most difficult and challenging experiences a person can go through.

Parental temperament characteristics of juvenile delinquents

Criminal behavior in children emerges as a result of a complex process. If the criminal behavior is repetitive and preventive interventions are not applied, it can also lead to the emergence of criminal behavior in adulthood. In our study, we aimed to compare the parental temperament characteristics of juvenile delinquents with those of non-offending children of similar age and gender. The study group included parents of 69 juvenile delinquents aged between 12 and 15, while the control group consisted of parents of 73 non-offending children of the same age range. Data was collected using a demographic information form prepared by researchers and the TEMPS-A (Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, San Diego Autoquestionnaire) Temperament Scale. The study group included 37 fathers and 32 mothers, while the control group included 40 fathers and 33 mothers. Parents in the study group had less education than those in the control group, and psychopathology was more common. The study group's parents experienced more legal issues on average. In comparison to the control group, fathers in the study group scored higher for cyclothymic temperament, hyperthymic temperament, and irritable temperament. Compared to the control group, mothers in the study group scored higher on all temperamental variables. The fathers' assessments of their depressive and anxious temperaments did not differ significantly. Fathers in the study group scored higher on the cyclothymic, hyperthymic, and irritable temperament scales. There was a considerable difference in the prevailing temperament type between the groups. Moms in the research group had significantly higher temperament scores than those in the control group.

Does Childhood Trauma Correlate with Criminal Behavior in Adulthood?

Though not every individual who has experienced childhood trauma will grow up to commit crime in their adult or adolescent years, research supports a strong correlation between childhood trauma and the likelihood of committing crimes in the future. Through this literature review, we hope to bring light to understanding the relationship between the two factors and propose a method to increase mandated reporting training through college classes. In this literary review research supports the idea that childhood trauma may have a correlation between criminal behavior. The studies in this review also show the importance of mandated reporting, which brings the question Is there a benefit in adding a course about adequate knowledge and training related to childhood trauma and mandated reporting?

Childhood family and neighbourhood socio‐economic status, psychopathy, and adult criminal behaviour

AbstractPurposeLower socio‐economic status (SES) and psychopathy are risk factors for criminal behaviour. This study examines whether psychopathic trait scores moderate the relationship between childhood family and neighbourhood SES and adult arrests.MethodsA large group of Midwest children ages 0–11 years old during 1967–1971 were interviewed as adults in 1989–1995 (N = 1144) at mean age 29. Childhood family SES was based on information collected during the interview and neighbourhood SES were based on census tract information from childhood. Psychopathic trait scores were based on information from interviews and case records. Official arrest data were used to assess criminal behaviour in adulthood.ResultsChildhood family SES, childhood neighbourhood SES, and psychopathic trait scores each independently predicted the number of adult arrests. As expected, lower childhood family SES and childhood neighbourhood SES predicted a larger number of adult arrests, and higher psychopathic trait scores were associated with a greater number of adult arrests. Childhood family SES and childhood neighbourhood SES also interacted with psychopathic trait scores to predict adult arrests. For individuals with low psychopathic trait scores, lower childhood family SES and lower childhood neighbourhood SES each predicted a higher number of adult arrests, whereas this was not the case for individuals with high psychopathic trait scores.ConclusionsChildhood SES (family and neighbourhood) continues to affect criminal behaviour long into adulthood. But neither childhood family SES, childhood neighbourhood SES, or psychopathic traits alone explain the extent of adult arrests. For people with comparably low levels of psychopathic traits, childhood family and neighbourhood socio‐economic status continued to impact adult arrests.

Untangling the relationship between child maltreatment and criminal behavior: executive functioning as mediator

ABSTRACT There is evidence that childhood maltreatment (CM) is an important risk factor for adult criminal behavior. However, little is known about the cognitive processes mediating this relationship. This study examined the mediating role of executive functioning (EF) on the relationship between CM and history of criminal behavior on a sample of 334 male individuals in custody from Uruguay. Preliminary results showed that CM was significantly associated with past criminal behavior in all multivariate models. The mediation analysis found that behavioral regulation had a significant mediating role while the metacognition and EF total score did not. Finally, the inhibition domain was the strongest mediator. This suggests that CM is an important risk factor that needs to be considered in Uruguay, and addressing behavioral regulation may also help to address some of the long-term consequences of CM and targeting deficits in inhibition could be a potential target for treatment for individuals that commit criminal offenses.

Pediatric youth who have obesity have high rates of adult criminal behavior and low rates of homeownership.

Objectives:The social outcomes in adulthood for pediatric patients with obesity are not well-described. This study investigated lifetime criminal behavior and homeownership in youth with obesity.Methods:Retrospective data on all children enrolled in the weight management program from 1999 to 2009 and who completed exercise testing were collected. Demographic and public record collection included body habitus, death records, real estate transactions, and criminal conviction history with comparisons made to published normative data.Results:In the children with obesity studied (N = 716; 12.0 ± 3.1 years old), the now-adult patients (28.5 ± 3.7 years) had a 1.5% mortality rate (11/716). Overall, 9.6% of these adults were convicted of a felony compared to ~7% lifetime prevalence in Ohio (p = 0.03). Also, 14.7% of study patients purchased a home compared to 38.3% of Midwest adults <30 years old (p < 0.0001). Mortality, history of a criminal conviction, or homeownership was associated with any exercise or study parameter.Conclusion:Children with obesity appear to have greater social risk than their peers in adulthood with higher rates of criminal behavior and lower rates of homeownership. This appears to highlight the need for treatment in this vulnerable group of children and young adults.

Absent Father Timing and its Impact on Adolescent and Adult Criminal Behavior

Absent Father Timing and its Impact on Adolescent and Adult Criminal Behavior

Prevalence of Childhood Maltreatment and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among Male Inmates in Iceland.

Childhood maltreatment is highly correlated with adult criminal behavior, and the prevalence of childhood maltreatment within prison populations is high. Furthermore, studies have repeatedly shown a higher prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in samples of prisoners compared with the general public. The aims of the current study were to determine the frequency of childhood maltreatment among male inmates in Iceland and the percentage of male inmates meeting screening criteria for PTSD. The Icelandic versions of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form and the PTSD Symptom Scale-Self-Report (PSS-SR) were used in the study. Results show a high prevalence of childhood maltreatment among the sample (N = 48), where 87% of participants reported having experienced at least one of the five categories listed (M = 2.33, SD = 1.68). Approximately 52% had experienced emotional abuse, 27% had experienced physical abuse, 48% had experienced sexual abuse, and over half reported experiencing neglect in their childhood. Two thirds of the participants were above the cutoff score for PTSD on the PTSD Symptom Scale-Self-Report, all of whom expressed a reduced quality of life and/or functional impairment because of their symptoms. The results indicate that most male inmates in Icelandic prisons were maltreated during their childhood and that many of them report severe posttraumatic stress symptoms. By integrating trauma-focused interventions into Iceland's Prison Service, mental health nurses and other mental health professionals have an opportunity to profoundly affect prisoners' functioning and quality of life, thereby potentially reducing the likelihood of recidivism for a large part of this population in the future.

Developmental lead exposure and adult criminal behavior: A 30-year prospective birth cohort study

Using a variety of research designs and measures of lead absorption, numerous studies link childhood lead exposure to a range of cognitive and behavioral deficits, including low IQ, impulsivity, juvenile delinquency, and criminal behavior in adolescence and early adulthood. In this study, we tested the association between multiple measures of blood lead concentration assessed in childhood with criminal behavior in adulthood and across the life-course. Prospective data from the Cincinnati Lead Study (CLS) included blood lead measures quarterly across the first 78 months of life and the number of times a person was arrested across the life-course (from age 18 to 33 years) and in later adulthood (age 27 to 33 years). Childhood blood lead concentration prospectively predicted variation in adult arrests and arrests over the life-course, indicating lead absorption is implicated in the etiology of crime—especially in geographic areas where environmental sources of lead are more prevalent and concentrated. Efforts to decrease lead exposure in both developed and developing countries should be part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce social dislocation and crime.

High School Dropout and the Intergenerational Transmission of Crime

We explore the relationship between high school dropout and pupils' adult crime by accounting for the role of the intergenerational transmission of crime. We employ a human capital model of schooling and crime and show that the intergenerational transmission of crime could have a direct effect on adult crime as well as an indirect effect mediated by high school dropout. We empirically assess the relevance of these relationships using fixed effects linear probability models and inverse probability weighting regression adjustment on US data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. We find that dropping out from high school and having a convicted father increase the probability of adult crime, with the former presenting a larger effect. Our empirical models also suggest that having a convicted father increases the probability of dropping out from school. This reveals that paternal crime imposes a double penalty on children: it increases their probability of committing crimes later on in life both directly and indirectly via school dropout. When considering the role of the environment, we find that while an early exposure to high levels of crime exacerbates dropping out, it has no direct long-term effect on adult crime. Finally, we show that individual traits may also play a role, as pupils with lower levels of cognitive skills present higher probabilities of adult criminal behaviour and stronger intergenerational effects.

Pathways to incarceration: an examination of childhood maltreatment and personality psychopathology in incarcerated adults

ABSTRACT Early-life exposure to childhood maltreatment, whether physically-, emotionally-, and/or sexually-based has been linked consistently to psychological distress throughout the lifespan, including the development of personality disorders (PDs). Individuals with PD diagnoses are at an increased risk for criminal behavior, and borderline and antisocial PDs are particularly common in forensic settings. However, little research has assessed associations among all three variables: childhood maltreatment, personality psychopathology, and adult criminal behavior. The current study sought to address this gap in the literature by examining the associations among childhood maltreatment, maladaptive personality domains, and adult criminal behavior broadly, as well as examining the mediation pathway from childhood maltreatment to maladaptive personality to adult criminal behavior. Data collection for the current study occurred at a county jail in the Southern United States (n = 180), where participants were administered self-report measures of demographics, adult arrest history, maladaptive personality, and childhood trauma. Pearson correlation and path analyses were used to examine the data, and support was found for both broad associations of childhood maltreatment with maladaptive personality domains and adult criminal behavior, and a relationship between childhood maltreatment and adult criminal behavior, which was mediated by maladaptive personality. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

The Interplay Between Positive and Negative Parenting and Children’s Negative Affect on Callous-Unemotional Traits

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits, which include the lack of guilt, lack of empathy, unemotionality, are widely considered a developmental precursor to psychopathic traits and criminal behavior in adulthood. Although parenting-based interventions have been indicated for children with high CU traits, studies on the relationship between parenting and CU traits have produced mixed findings. We hypothesized that children’s temperament, particularly their negative affect, may modulate the association between negative (e.g., harsh discipline) and positive (e.g., positive reinforcement) parenting behavior and CU traits in children. This study examined the interactions between child negative affect and positive and negative dimensions of parenting behavior as they pertained to children’s CU traits (i.e., total scores, callousness, uncaring, and unemotionality), measured via Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU). Using a cross-sectional sample of N = 201 5–6 year-old children, we found that positive parenting was negatively associated with total CU scores, whereas negative parenting was positively associated. Furthermore, negative parenting behavior was associated with higher levels of children’s CU (specifically, on the uncaring dimension of the ICU), but only among children with high negative affect. Results provide preliminary evidence that high children’s negative affect may increase their sensitivity to negative parenting behaviors as it pertains to CU, and the uncaring dimension specifically. Clinical and treatment implications are discussed.

Obese Pediatric Youth Have A High Rate Of Adult Criminal Behavior And Low Rates Of Home Ownership That Is Not Linked To Pediatric Fitness

Obese Pediatric Youth Have A High Rate Of Adult Criminal Behavior And Low Rates Of Home Ownership That Is Not Linked To Pediatric Fitness

Constellations of youth criminogenic factors associated with young adult violent criminal behavior

This study identified constellations of childhood risk factors associated with violent criminal behavior in early adulthood. Police data were used to sample violent and nonviolent offenders from a population of young adult males with a history of juvenile probation. Risk factors were retrieved from their juvenile probation files. A single classification tree analysis organized these into a decision tree for violent criminal behavior with good predictive accuracy. Two constellations of risk factors were associated with a high risk of violent criminal behavior. The first consisted of juvenile delinquents who had been moderately involved with criminal peers, who had committed offenses under the influence of drugs, and who came from a dysfunctional family. The second was characterized by having been severely involved with criminal peers and having had criminal family members. Presenting with depressive symptoms in childhood was associated with a low risk of violent criminal behavior. These constellations bear clinical importance as they provide targets for personalized interventions.

Dysfunctionality of the family environment as one of the reason for recidivism

The family as a basic social cell, the first human life environment, plays a fundamental role in securing needs, transferring social patterns and protecting its members. Taking into account the different family models that exist in the modern world, apart from traditional and reconstructed families, we also distinguish dysfunctional families, which does not immediately mean that they are pathological ones. Properly populating parental functions is one of the most important tasks of the family. It is a family that creates educational, caring and socializing environment for a child, where the characteristics of its personality and identity are evolving, as well as social norms are assimilated and associated with adequate sanctions. Family type and model can have a significant impact on the emergence of criminal behavior in adulthood. The author’s studies in the years 2007–2011 show that family relationships are the most significant factor in the biographies of prisoners. Besides, it has been shown that to start criminal activities and subsequent returns to such activities, they correlate with educational problems and numerous addictions in the family (from alcohol, drugs, psychoactive substances, gambling, etc.). The dysfunctions that arise as a result of the socialization process and the building of daily relationships can be linked to the entry into the criminal way of a young man, and thus foster a return to negative habits and recidivism in the future. The article aims to show the relationship between the being brought up in the dysfunctional family and the entrance to a criminal path, which may also be regarded as one of the causes of later recidivism of individuals.

Infection during childhood and the risk of violent criminal behavior in adulthood

Infections during brain development appear to contribute to cognitive impairment and aggressive behavior, as well as to a number of developmental mental disorders closely associated with violent criminal behavior. Yet, no study has thus far ever investigated whether infections during brain development increases the risk of violent criminality later in life.In this population-based cohort study, about 2.2 million individuals born in Sweden between the years 1973 and 1995 were included in an effort to estimate the association between infections during childhood (registered ICD-10 diagnoses of infections incurred before the age of 14 years) and violent criminal behavior (registered convictions for a violent crime between the ages of 15 and 38 years, prior to December 31, 2011). After inclusion of several sociodemographic parameters, risks of violent criminal behavior conferred by childhood infections – expressed as hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) – were calculated by means of Cox regression. Mediation analyses were performed to explore the effect of psychiatric disorders on the association between infections during childhood and violent criminality. Results revealed a modest, yet significant, association between an infection during childhood and violent criminality later in life (adjusted HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.12–1.16). Infections during the first year of life and infections in the central nervous system were associated with the highest risks of subsequent violent criminality (adjusted HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.18–1.23, and adjusted HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.08–1.26, respectively). The association was partly mediated by the presence of a psychiatric disorder.In summary, independent of a wide range of covariates, our results suggest that infections during brain development could be part of the genesis of violent criminal behavior.

Adult outcomes of youths who have spent time in a judicial treatment institution in the Netherlands

Youths who have spent time in residential care may experience difficulties when making the transition to adulthood. This study examines adult outcomes of youths (N=251) who spent time in a Dutch judicial treatment institution. Moreover, the study investigates to what extent background characteristics and patterns in adult criminal behaviour are related to outcomes in adulthood. The study uses data from the 17up study, a longitudinal study following institutionalised youths into adulthood. Information on background characteristics is available from the youths’ treatment files. Outcomes in a variety of life domains, including the domains of housing, employment, family formation and health, have been assessed at a follow-up interview with respondents when they were, on average, 34 years old. Official data on criminal behaviour is used to reconstruct respondents’ criminal careers. The findings show that many young people who were placed in a judicial treatment institution during their youth experience difficulties in conventional life domains in adulthood, in particular in the areas of employment, mental health, and alcohol and drug abuse. Furthermore, results from a series of regression analyses and nonlinear canonical correlation analyses suggest that in general, those with chronic involvement in criminal behaviour are more likely to experience problems in multiple adult life domains. Most background characteristics are unrelated to adult outcomes. Therefore, the findings indicate that among youths with a history of institutionalisation, negative outcomes in adulthood are not so much predicted by childhood risk factors, but more so by criminal involvement in adulthood.