Statistical Models of Life Events and Criminal Behavior

Author(s):  
D. Wayne Osgood
2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozgur Solakoglu ◽  
Ugur Orak

School absenteeism is a complicated problem with a variety of causes. It has been shown to be one of the main predictors of school drop-outs as well as leading to delinquency and criminal behavior in adulthood. This study examines the applicability of General Strain Theory on educational factors by considering truancy as a risk behavior. In this empirical study, we test the explanatory powers of certain kinds of strain, including school strain, economic deprivation, negative life events, anger, college plans, past victimization, and depression on students’ truancy. Data were drawn from the part of 2008 Youth in Europe Survey conducted in Istanbul in 2008. The sample consists of 2445 high school students. Results indicate that school strain, anger, and negative life events are significantly associated with likelihood of truancy while past victimization and economic strain have no effect. College goal and depression, on the other hand, have relatively weaker effects on students’ school absenteeism. Findings revealed that there is a relationship between cutting classes and certain kinds of strain among Turkish adolescents. The study also demonstrates that General Strain Theory is applicable for problematic behaviors in an educational context and generalizable to countries other than the U.S.


2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 119-122
Author(s):  
Michael Eid ◽  
Tanja Lischetzke ◽  
Fridtjof Nussbeck ◽  
Christian Geiser ◽  
Maike Luhmann ◽  
...  

Abstract. Research of the Methodology Group at the Freie Universität Berlin focuses on subjective well-being, mood regulation, health psychology, and the development of new methods for the analysis of psychological data. In particular, we are interested in the role mood regulation plays for subjective well-being and the way people adapt to life events. In terms of health promotion, we study sun protection behavior and are interested in the prevention of skin cancer. In our methodological research, we are concerned with the development and application of new statistical models for analyzing longitudinal and multitrait-multimethod data.


Author(s):  
Sarah Anderson ◽  
Fergus McNeill

This chapter reviews the state of current knowledge on cognitive transformations in the desistance process. It considers transformations in the content of cognitions: changing pro-criminal attitudes, changing meanings of and emotions surrounding criminal behavior, and the importance of motivation and hope. The chapter also considers transformations in cognitive skills that enable the person trying to desist to act upon the intentions they have formed. It argues that an integrated theory of the desistance process must include an understanding of all these cognitive transformations. In developing this argument, this chapter challenges narrowly psychological-criminological theories—more particularly their recent applications in offender treatment. Finally, we suggest that further and more methodologically robust empirical exploration of the chronological sequencing of a range of life events and cognitive changes will be critical to developing our understanding of desistance from crime.


2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (15) ◽  
pp. 4739-4757
Author(s):  
Ofer Zemel ◽  
Tomer Einat ◽  
Natti Ronel

The current research is a qualitative examination of the relations between self-control and deterministic/non-deterministic perceptions of life events and the drifts into or desistance from a criminal spin among juvenile delinquents. Based on in-depth semi-structured interviews with 21 adolescents (11 active delinquents and 10 desisters), we found that both the intensification of criminal behavior and the desistance from criminal activity are gradual and connected to the reduction or acquisition, respectively, of self-control and the offenders’ belief in their self-control. Criminal behavior and self-control were found to be associated with deterministic or non-deterministic perceptions of life events: the former combined with low self-control are associated with a delinquent lifestyle; the latter combined with high self-control promote the likelihood that young offenders will modify their behavior and desist from criminal behavior. The study may provide better understanding of the role of the criminal spin in the engagement or desistance from criminal behavior.


2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S278-S278
Author(s):  
Sandra Nilsson ◽  
Merete Nordentoft ◽  
Carsten Hjorthøj

Abstract Background Homelessness is an increasing societal problem in high-income countries and often linked to psychiatric disorders. However, a study compiling the existing literature is lacking. The aim was to identify individual-level predictors for becoming homeless and exiting homelessness in a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science (up to January 2018). Becoming homeless and exiting homelessness were the outcomes. Observational studies with comparison groups from high-income countries were included. The Newcastle Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale was used for bias assessment. Random effects models were used to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs). In all, 116 studies of predictors for becoming homeless and 18 for exiting homelessness were included. Results Psychiatric problems, especially drug use problems (OR 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–5.1) and suicide attempts (OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.1–6.3) were associated with increased risk of homelessness. However, the heterogeneity was substantial in most analyses (I2>90%), and the estimates should be interpreted cautiously. Adverse life-events, including childhood abuse and foster care experiences, and past incarceration were also important predictors of homelessness. Psychotic problems (95% CI 0.4, 0.2–0.8; I2=0) and drug use problems (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.6–0.9; I=0) reduced the chances for exiting homelessness. Female sex and having a partner increased the changes of exiting homelessness. Discussion Evidence for several psychiatric predictors for becoming homeless and exiting homelessness was identified. Additionally, socio-demographic factors, adverse life-events, and criminal behavior were important factors. There is a need for more focus on psychiatric vulnerabilities and early intervention to reduce the risk of homelessness.


2001 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Aktekin ◽  
Taha Karaman ◽  
Yesim Yigiter Senol ◽  
Sukru Erdem ◽  
Hakan Erengin ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Carsten Obel ◽  
Morten Hedegaard ◽  
Tine Brink Henriksen ◽  
Niels Jørgen Secher ◽  
Jørn Olsen

Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 204-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Rurup ◽  
H. R. W. Pasman ◽  
J. Goedhart ◽  
D. J. H. Deeg ◽  
A. J. F. M. Kerkhof ◽  
...  

Background: Quantitative studies in several European countries showed that 10–20% of older people have or have had a wish to die. Aims: To improve our understanding of why some older people develop a wish to die. Methods: In-depth interviews with people with a wish to die (n = 31) were carried out. Through open coding and inductive analysis, we developed a conceptual framework to describe the development of death wishes. Respondents were selected from two cohort studies. Results: The wish to die had either been triggered suddenly after traumatic life events or had developed gradually after a life full of adversity, as a consequence of aging or illness, or after recurring depression. The respondents were in a situation they considered unacceptable, yet they felt they had no control to change their situation and thus progressively “gave up” trying. Recurring themes included being widowed, feeling lonely, being a victim, being dependent, and wanting to be useful. Developing thoughts about death as a positive thing or a release from problems seemed to them like a way to reclaim control. Conclusions: People who wish to die originally develop thoughts about death as a positive solution to life events or to an adverse situation, and eventually reach a balance of the wish to live and to die.


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