Traumatic Experiences and Juvenile Delinquency Relationship as Moderated by Sociodemographic Factors

Year 2019, Volume: 10 Issue: 17, 79 - 103, 31.03.2019

Lütfiye Kaya Cicerali

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

Cited By: 1

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

Abstract

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. 

Keywords

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

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