Traumatic Experiences and Juvenile Delinquency Relationship as Moderated by Sociodemographic Factors

Lütfiye Kaya Cicerali

doi:10.26466/opus.491095

EN TR

Traumatic Experiences and Juvenile Delinquency Relationship as Moderated by Sociodemographic Factors

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between previous traumatic experiences of juvenile delinquents and their crimes against their sociodemographic backdrop. A representative sample of incarcerated male juveniles was surveyed. A sociodemographic questionnaire and the Life Events Checklist were administered. Moderating effects of sociodemographic factors on the link between previous trauma experiences and crime types were examined. Repeated physical assault was the most common traumatic event reported. Trauma experience level differentiated between crimes against life and crimes against property. Deliberate human caused trauma was significantly associated with serious delinquency. Moderating effects of sociodemographics was negligible. Largely, delinquents were above the age of 16 and were from low-income households in which they lived together with their parents and numerous siblings. Findings support social learning and social control theories in explanation of the liaison between early traumatic experiences and later criminal behavior.

Keywords

Trauma,PTSD,Life Events Checklist,Juvenile Delinquency,Polyvictimization

Travmatik Yaşantılar ile Çocukluk ve Ergenlik Suçları Arasındaki İlişkinin Sosyodemografik Faktörlere Göre Farklılaşması

Öz

Bu çalışmanın amacı suç işlemiş ve ceza evinde bulunan çocukların önceki travmatik yaşantıları ile işledikleri suçlar arasındaki ilişkilerin araştırılmasıdır. Çalışmada bir sosyodemografik anket ile travmatik yaşantıları ölçmek üzere tasarlanmış geçerli ve güvenilir uluslararası bir skala olan Yaşam Olayları Kontrol Listesi kullanılmıştır. Tekrarlanan fiziksel saldırı en çok raporlanan travmatik yaşam olayı olarak ortaya çıkmıştır. Maruz kalınan kümülatif travma düzeyi kişinin yaşama karşı suçlara mı mala karşı suçlara mı karıştığını ayırt edebilmiştir. Diğer insanların kasten neden olduğu travmalar çocukların/ergenlerin karıştığı en ciddi suçları yordayabilmiştir. Sosyodemografik etki ciddi değildir. Genel olarak örneklemin çoğu 16 yaş üstü, düşük gelirli, çok çocuklu ve anne babanın birlikte yaşadığı ailelerden gelmektedir. Sonuçlar suçun sosyal olarak aile içinde öğrenildiğini, dolayısıyla ailede verilen disiplinin suç davranışının önlenmesinde önemli rolü olduğunu ve farklı suçlara karışmanın farklı tiplerde travmatik deneyimlerden etkilendiğini desteklemekte; ailede suç kariyeri destekleniyor, suça karşı normlar yok sayılıyor ise aile bütünlüğünün suça karışmaktan koruyucu bir rol oynamadığının altını çizmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

PTSD,Yaşam Olayları Kontrol Listesi,Travma,Çocuk Suçluluğu,Çoklu Mağduriyet

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Psychology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Lütfiye Kaya Cicerali ^*
0000-0002-8444-2847
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 31, 2019

Submission Date

December 1, 2018

Acceptance Date

January 8, 2019

Published in Issue

Year 2019 Volume: 10 Number: 17

DOI

https://doi.org/10.26466/opus.491095

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA54HF22TY

APA

Kaya Cicerali, L. (2019). Traumatic Experiences and Juvenile Delinquency Relationship as Moderated by Sociodemographic Factors. OPUS International Journal of Society Researches, 10(17), 79-103. https://doi.org/10.26466/opus.491095

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