W6

8

Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Criminal Behavior

Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Criminal Behavior

Background

The quality of upbringing a child experiences is related to the behavior the individual exhibits during the latter stages of life. Physician reports show that childhood victimization nurtures a negative attitude, which increases the chances of criminal involvement. Many research findings have associated maltreatment of children with antisocialism during childhood, which extends to adolescence. The antisocial state increases the chances of contemplating criminal involvement to seek revenge for their mistreatment. Moreover, the rate of crime-involvement behavior varies depending on sexual orientation. Behaviorists assert that any maltreatment inserted upon minors under 18 has far-reaching consequences. According to a report by Child Protective Services, approximately 681,000 minors in America suffered child abuse in 2011 (Agnew & Brezina, 2019). The likelihood of a victimized child landing in a juvenile is 4.8 times that of a non-victimized child. They are further 3.1 times more likely to be involved in criminal offenses than their counterparts. Children who record weak and unfriendly relationships with their parents have higher chances of committing crimes. Weak parental bonds have high associations with maltreatment. These victims adopt a reckless attitude during the early stages of development, which extends to adult life. The common types of childhood maltreatment include physical torture, child labor, sexual abuse, negligence, and verbal abuse. The current research examines the relationship between childhood maltreatment and criminal behavior.

1. Problem statement

The crime rate has taken an upward trajectory during the present era. From juveniles to adult prisons, the record of criminals increases every day. Societies have become highly insecure due to the high rates of crimes experienced. Picketing has become a norm everywhere. Robbery with violence is no longer news. Smuggling and intentional trickery behaviors are happening everywhere. Many lives have been lost in the hands of violent individuals with inhumane character. Given this reality, the urgency with which a long-lasting solution to end criminal activities in society is required cannot be overlooked. Though a rise in criminal involvement can be solved through tightening safety measures, understanding the root cause of the behavior can be a more noble solution. In the search for this solution, existing reports from physicians guide us in exploring the relationship between childhood victimization and criminal behavior.

Digging deep to discover the factors that led an individual to commit a crime goes far beyond the norm of religiously punishing an offense. With an explicit knowledge of the reasons that inspired an individual to commit a crime, helping them overcome the struggle is easy and possible. It also counters the possibility of criminal behavior repetition. Establishing the nature of the relationship between maltreatment and criminal behavior will also assist in educating parents on the impacts of how they treat children. Children rights activists can also use the findings of crime behavior causes to advocate for healthy ways of raising children.

The aspect of male criminals held in prisons exceeding that of their female counterparts also raises concerns. Understanding the main factors that lead these males to contemplate criminal behavior will help take the relevant precautionary measures. Tracking the childhood experiences of criminal victims will help arrive at the real-time causes of the behavior. Additional remedies to criminal behavior, such as offering counseling services to victims of childhood victimization, will reduce crime rates and disrupt the flow of violent attitudes from childhood to the later days of life.

2. Literature Review

General Strain Theory

According to the General Strain Theory, strains in life increase the possibility of crime commitment. The theory focuses on strains that appear to be socially gross and unjust. Typical examples of these strains include parental negligence, social discrimination, financial strains, and sexual harassment. Inconveniences imposed upon victims of these strains evoke negative emotions. When an individual encounters unkind treatment at the hands of certain persons, an inner feeling of frustration and sadness is inevitable (Agnew & Brezina, 2019). Other likely emotions include anger and depression. As a result, they experience internal pressures to react and, in so doing, correct the wrongs imposed on them. Crime is one way to satisfy these desires. For victims of life strains, criminal behavior achieves the justice they felt denied. These victims assume that forwarding the violence experienced to other persons is a justice-correct technique. Turning to criminal activities, therefore, unfolds as a neutralizer for their frustrations.

According to GST, a negative relationship increases the chances of criminal involvement. Children who have encountered violent relationships, therefore, turn to criminal activities. For example, denying a child essential protection may force them to leave home. Maltreatment by parents and guardians may provoke children to develop pressures of passing the same feelings` to other persons. If an adult struggles with extreme scarcity of money, they may turn to robbery as the solution. The theory defines strain as any experience that evokes a high dislike for the victim. If the victim fails to figure out how to reduce the strains legally, turning to crime is likely. The theory predicts the specific type of crime an individual will likely commit using the type of strain experienced and the emotion evoked. If an act angered the child, they are likely to commit violent offenses. Social strains that evoke envy in children increase the chances of engaging in property crimes. These victims view engaging in crime as a cheap way of resolving strains in life (Brezina, 2017).

Social Learning Theory

According to this theory, an individual's social company has the potential to influence their behavior. In this regard, growing up with maltreatment encounters evokes violent behavior in a person. Individuals with childhood maltreatment challenges are likely to contemplate criminal and antisocial habits. The theory says humans copy specific attributes from their surroundings and paste them into real life. Experiencing and observing violence during childhood, therefore, nurtures attributes of aggressiveness. The result is criminal behavior at future stages in life. Otherwise, the choice of whether or not to engage in crime is affected by the environment we identify with. Children share close bonds with their families, schools, neighborhoods, and societies. They learn new skills and traits by paying attention to what these parties are doing. If these individuals possess non-violent habits, the likelihood of obtaining criminal behavior is low (Agnew, 1985). If children get exposed to violent-minded networks, they may turn to delinquent behavior in the future. The theory suggests that children who belong to families without domestic violence struggles are less likely to portray criminal behavior in the future. Children who grew up in environments with substance users are likely to repeat the habits at some stages of life. Adverse childhood experiences like physical harm, abuse, and negligence make the victim feel neglected and disapproved. The effect weakens motivation to embrace good behavior. As a side effect, victims lose reasons for avoiding engaging in crime and instead feel justified to indulge. Such victims find no fault in their actions when committing a crime.

Empirical Review

According to Kim et al., (2016), different types of childhood abuse generate specific criminal behavior. The researchers suggest that the recidivism rate varies depending on the maltreatment experienced by the victim. They examined independent types of childhood abuse and their impact on adulthood criminal behavior. The sample size for the research was 183 adult offenders on probation. Their average age was 40, and a childhood Trauma Questionnaire was used to collect information on childhood maltreatment. The existence of psychiatric disorders was also tested on the victims to confirm the rate at which psychological state affects criminal behavior. The study's findings revealed that maltreated children who also live with mental illnesses are more likely to engage in crime. Recidivism in adults showed close links with physical negligence. They concluded that maltreatment in children increases recidivism. Childhood maltreatment also increases the rate of psychiatric morbidity. The study recommends a closer evaluation of childhood strains on adult probationers.

A correlational research design has been used in this study. In correlation studies, the statistical relationship between two variables is calculated, and influence from extraneous variables is avoided. The extent of the relationship between maltreatment and recidivism is measured without any alterations. Two groups were used to compare the differences. An advantage of the design is that the effects of the condition under study are observed due to the presence of a control group. A disadvantage is that the results are prone to biases. The design is appropriate for this study because comparing the behavior of maltreated and unabused children provides comprehensive details about sources of risk behaviors associated with criminal behavior.

According to Yao et al. (2022), maltreated children suffer more police arrests than their counterparts. They researched to explore how maltreatment relates to chronic offenses. The research participants were 695 convicted males and juveniles. In order to collect research data, questionnaires were administered to the sample population. Data analysis was conducted via descriptive statistical analysis and multinomial logistic regression. Findings associated physical abuse with an increased likelihood of engaging in chronic offending. The study used quantitative and explanatory designs. Quantitative aspects are supported by the use of questionnaires in data collection. Using a large sample size in quantitative research also allows for more straightforward observation of trends and patterns. In an explanatory research design, reasons behind certain occurrences are explored. The findings of this study design answer why without providing a remedy to the problem. Diverse designs were advantageous in customizing the research to context for better results. Through descriptive analysis, the child maltreatment variable was described clearly.

Jung et al., (2015) explore the link between child abuse and future manifestations of criminal behavior. Three hundred fifty-six adults were used to make a longitudinal study. They separated the maltreatment variable into physical abuse and emotional abuse. Findings revealed indirect associations between physical abuse and criminal behavior. Emotionally, abuse, however, affected future behavior both directly and indirectly.

Further, chronicity in physical abuse affected future crime, while it did not affect emotional abuse. Encounters of early childhood negligence and physical abuse may nurture burglary, property damage, physical assault, and threat behaviors. A prospective design is used, which is advantageous for assessing long-term developmental attributes in mistreated children. In a prospective design, the study cohort is observed for a specific duration, and data on study variables is collected. The researcher then monitors outcomes to establish how it is affected by exposure.

Alkhuta & Abdihaq, (2018) researched on childhood abuse as a predictor of thinking style during adulthood. Seventy-five juvenile convicts were compared against 75 average persons. The objective was to identify how criminal thinking in adults is affected by childhood experiences. The participants were between 12 and 18 years old. The likelihood of crime participation and the styles of criminal thinking variables were measured. The maltreatment variable was different between mother-related and father-related abuse. Results showed that maltreatment in children affects their manner of criminal thinking later in life. Besides, maltreatment in children is considered a future threat to society's safety. These researchers used a child treatment scale to quantify variables of physical, emotional, and sexual maltreatment. A descriptive design was used to carry out the study. The study uses survey questionnaires to describe how childhood abuse evokes criminal thinking styles.

The reviewed literature in this study showed that many researchers have taken an interest in examining the link between childhood maltreatment and criminal behavior. However, one area that they seem to have omitted is defining the extent to which childhood maltreatment affects criminal behavior. Previous researchers have identified relationships but still need to define exact levels (Mallet et al., 2009). The studies are also silent about the effects of parental negligence and verbal abuse on children and their relation to criminal behavior. Different studies have utilized precise analysis techniques to meet APA requirements. Data collected from participants is regressed using SPSS, and the study's objectives are reviewed to identify statistical techniques. Results are presented using tables and comparison charts.

3. Research Question and Hypothesis

What is the link between childhood maltreatment and ensuing criminal behavior?

Hypothesis

Children with childhood maltreatment encounters have higher chances of manifesting criminal behavior than children without childhood maltreatment experiences.

This research's findings show a relationship between the variable; ‘childhood maltreatment’ and ‘criminal behavior.' The theories of General strain and social learning theory explored herein show that maltreatment during childhood increases the chances of engaging in criminal activities. Findings from existing empirical research studies also agree that childhood maltreatment is linked with high chances of engaging in criminal behavior. Some of the legal responses to childhood maltreatment include engaging support centers and resilience. However, most victims perceive turning to crime as cheap justice. The population engaged in this study revealed that having undergone maltreatment during the early stages of life increased the likelihood of indulging in criminal behavior.

Variables

Criminal association and affiliation with criminals are the dependent variable. Independent variables are maltreatment (physical abuse, verbal abuse, and parental negligence. Criminal association and affiliation will be identified by a more relationships shared with association/affiliation with criminals. Sexual assault is identified by a positive response to sexual engagements, and negligence is insufficient levels of parenting. Physical abuse will be identified using physical impact. Subjects will also respond to a question about abusive words from parents' to assess verbal abuse.

Proposed Methodology

Participants

The study used six students from Southern New Hampshire University. All six have answered yes to the question of knowing someone incarcerated for criminal behavior, and half (3) have a no response on experience with physical assault, and participation will be optional. The two groups will be engaged, and differences in their behavior about crime will be observed. A comprehensive explanation of the maltreatment will be used to justify the responses.

Materials

Structured questionnaires with open and closed questionnaires will collect the data. The Qualtrics platform will be utilized because of its simplicity. The students can respond from any location within the designated 48 hours.

Procedures

The first step will be setting the questions using the online platform. Questions will seek to identify real experiences with maltreatment during childhood and later experiences with crime. Attitude towards crimes should have also be questioned. Invitations for participation in the study will be shared using the social groups of university students. A detailed explanation of the kind of research in progress and how the results will be used will be shared with the groups. Interested participants will be provided with an online link where they can join. Training was not performed on the participant's platform before issuing questionnaires. The respondents will have 48 hours to submit back completed forms. The information collected will be used to establish the relationship between the harassment experienced and the criminal behavior manifested.

Ethical Concerns

The researchers will seek the consent of the university before administering the study. The participants come on board out of their own will instead of being coerced (Schultz, 1969). The mental stability of participants will be considered while deciding whether or not to participate. Sensitive questions will be left optional, such that responding will be voluntary. Counseling sessions will be available for participants who may suffer the adverse effects of recalling the bad experiences. Information disclosed via the questionnaires will be considered confidential and for use only on mentioned in the study.

5. Data Analysis Plan

The hypothesis examined whether childhood maltreatment increases the occurrence of criminal behavior. Criminal behavior was differentiated into armed robbery, physical fights, picketing, and sexual assault. Whether the victim experienced maltreatment was assessed using a yes or no response and scale. Codes 0 and 1, respectively, were used. The responses are expressed in percentages for easy analysis.

6. Analytical Procedures

The relationship between maltreatment and criminal behavior was computed using Pearson’s Product Correlation. The concept shows the nature of the existing relationship using the strength and direction of continuous variables (Mallet et al., 2009). The P value, which shows a significant level of coefficient correlation, will be p < 0.5

Descriptive Statistics

After collecting data from the subjects, a regression analysis will be conducted using SPSS packages. Descriptive statistics of mean, median, and standard deviation will be measured for control variable age and percentages used to describe maltreatment variables. Multivariate analysis through logistic regression is used to analyze the original presentations further.

Ethical Considerations

The aspect of transparency in using data as collected has been observed. The privacy of subjects is also observed because their identities are hidden. Biases of all forms have been avoided, meaning the results are dependable. The results are further used to establish the relationship between childhood maltreatment and criminal behavior by the primary reason behind the research.

Anticipated results.

From the findings of previous researchers and theoretical analysis, there is a high chance of childhood maltreatment having a significant and positive relationship with criminal behavior. The positive relationship implies that an increase in the child maltreatment variable leads to a corresponding increase in criminal behavior. After conducting the study analysis, the physical abuse variable will project the highest level of relationship between the two variables. Robbery with violence will show high associations with physical abuse due to the emotion of anger involved. Sexual abuse produces emotional torture, likely to show associations with property crime. Verbal abuse will not have any significant relationship with criminal behavior. Generally, the study will conform with findings from other researchers and reports from clinicians that childhood maltreatment is significantly related to criminal behavior.

Conclusion

This final module presents a research proposal on the relationship between childhood maltreatment and criminal behavior. The study is motivated by the concern of increased crime rates. Theories of social control and GST are reviewed alongside previous empirical studies. Findings from existing literature show that childhood maltreatment threatens future security. Predictions of this research are likely to agree with the existence of a relationship between childhood maltreatment and criminal behavior.

References

Agnew, R. (1985). Social control theory and delinquency: A longitudinal test. Criminology, 23(1), 47–61.

Agnew, R., & Brezina, T. (2019). General strain theory. Handbook on crime and deviance, 145-160.

Alkhutaba, M. Y., & Abdihaq, Z. I. (2018). Child Maltreatment as Predictors of Criminal Thinking Styles among Adolescents. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 6(11), 1-14.

Brezina, T. (2017). General strain theory. In Oxford research encyclopedia of criminology and criminal justice.

Jung, H., Herrenkohl, T. I., Lee, J. O., Klika, J. B., & Skinner, M. L. (2015). Effects of physical and emotional child abuse and its chronicity on crime into adulthood. Violence and Victims, 30(6), 1004-1018.

Kim, E. Y., Park, J., & Kim, B. (2016). Type of childhood maltreatment and the risk of criminal recidivism in adult probationers: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry, 16(1), 1-9.

Mallett, C. A., Stoddard Dare, P., & Seck, M. M. (2009). Predicting juvenile delinquency: The nexus of childhood maltreatment, depression, and bipolar disorder. Criminal behavior and mental health, 19(4), 235–246.

Schultz, D. P. (1969). The human subject in psychological research. Psychological bulletin, 72(3), 214.

Yao, X., Zhang, H., & Zhao, R. (2022). Does trauma exacerbate criminal behavior? An exploratory study of child maltreatment and chronic offending in a sample of Chinese juvenile offenders. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(18), 11197.