Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Psychology|Clinical psychology|Criminology'

Female youth are a growing population in the juvenile justice system; however, research on female justice-involved youth is lacking relative to male counterparts. As research suggests this population has experienced higher rates of trauma, the purpose of this study was threefold: first, to describe the extent of complex trauma exposure and sequelae, second, to evaluate the utility of the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument–Version 2 (MAYSI-2) Trauma Experiences (TE) scale related to complex trauma, and third, to analyze the relationship between complex trauma and comorbid diagnoses of incarcerated adolescent females, using a developmental trauma framework. The present study used archival data from the records of 229 adolescent females, ages 13 to 20, who were remanded to a maximum security juvenile justice facility in Illinois. Scores from the MAYSI-2 TE scale were collected as well as Clinical Needs Assessments that provided demographic information and data regarding trauma exposure and sequelae. A developmental trauma rubric was specifically designed for this study based on the DSM-5 proposed developmental trauma disorder (DTD) diagnosis. Trauma-related data was mapped onto the rubric for the purpose of identifying youth with complex trauma reactions and comparing this data with MAYSI-2 TE scale scores. Exploratory analyses laid a foundation for understanding complex trauma exposure and sequalae among incarcerated female adolescents. As expected, over three fourths of participants were exposed to repeated interpersonal traumas with youth experiencing an average of five different types of trauma exposure. Contrary to the first hypothesis, the MAYSI-2 TE scale was significantly correlated with complex trauma exposure. The second hypothesis was supported, which was contrary to the literature on the subject, and indicated that the MAYSI-2 TE scale scores decrease upon re-assessment after re-admission to the facility. Finally, the third hypothesis revealed nearly universal comorbid diagnoses among the sample (97.4%) and a relationship was found between the proposed developmental trauma disorder diagnosis and diagnoses of personality, bipolar and related, neurodevelopmental, and trauma and stressor related disorders. These results suggest that screening for trauma should be a high priority in juvenile justice settings and that while the MAYSI-2 TE scale score is related to complex trauma exposure, added screening is warranted to identify trauma-related symptoms. Additionally, alternative screening strategies may be useful for those returning to the facility as these youth’s TE scale scores were found to be lower than those initially incarcerated as well as lower than their previous scores. Finally, the field would benefit from the adoption of a complex trauma diagnosis to prevent inadequate and inaccurate diagnoses being given when the etiology of symptoms is trauma-based.

Homicides linked to serial killers comprise a small percentage of the total number of murders committed in the United States, as well as overseas; however, there has always been an immense interest in these type of killings due to the mysterious nature of their perpetrators and their motives for killing. This small percentage could be due to the decreased incidence of the mental illnesses usually associated with serial killers (i.e., Antisocial Personality Disorder and Psychopathy), and advances in police investigative methods such as DNA matching that have resulted in a higher rate of solved murders, and consequently fewer serial killers still at large. Many theories have been proposed to try to explain why serial killers murder their victims. The most popular of these theories is the organized and disorganized dichotomy of serial killers’ methods. By using this theory and linking it with both Alfred Adler’s (1928) theory of birth order and Michael Kirton’s (1976) adaptor and innovator theory the relationship between a serial killer’s birth order and the types of victims he chooses can be explored.

Historically, juveniles have been viewed by society as less mature and less blameworthy than adults (Scott & Grisso, 1997). Since its inception, the juvenile justice system has taken on a parenting role for juveniles and has attempted to rehabilitate juvenile offenders instead of punishing them. However, during the 1980s and 1990s, as a result of a perceived increase in violent juvenile offending, American society began to treat juveniles as adults based on the severity of their crimes (Grisso, 1997). The current study examined whether evidence regarding a juvenile’s competence to stand trial and crime committed have an effect on potential jurors’ verdicts of guilty or not guilty. This study also examined the participants’ perceptions of a juvenile’s level of responsibility based on evidence regarding competency and crime outcome. Participants consisted of members of the general public who were jury-eligible. Participants received one of four randomly assigned vignettes varying only by competency to stand trial (not mentioned, incompetent and restored, or competent) and outcome of crime (death or serious injury). After reading a given vignette, participants were asked whether they would find the juvenile guilty or not guilty. They were also asked to rate the juvenile’s level of responsibility on a scale of 1 (not at all responsible) to 5 (very responsible). This study found that a juvenile’s competence to stand trial and the results of the crime committed (injury versus death) have no effect on potential jurors’ verdicts of guilty or not guilty. The results did suggest that the participants’ perceptions of a juvenile’s level of responsibility based on evidence impacts a verdict of guilty versus not guilty. Further, a competent juvenile who was found guilty of an offense resulting in death was found highly responsible for the act. In contrast, a juvenile who was not competent and was found not guilty of an offense resulting in death was perceived to be less responsible.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are conditions characterized by frontal lobe deficits. Past research has shown increased violent and aggressive behavior in both conditions; however, few studies have examined the mechanisms driving this relationship, particularly in non-athlete or non-veteran populations. The current study examined the neurodegenerative effects of repeated mTBI over time on cognitive flexibility and stability deficits in a homeless population. Additionally, we investigated the mediating effects of these deficits on the impact of both repeated lifetime mTBI and presence of an SSD on violent crime. Consistent with expectations, the number of lifetime mTBIs positively predicted violence levels across multiple measures of violent crime, however cognitive flexibility and stability deficits did not mediate this relationship. Furthermore, comorbidity of mTBI and SSD increased the frequency of violent crimes greater than either condition alone. Implications for risk assessment, intervention strategies and violence reduction are discussed.

In forensic psychology, adolescents who display psychopathic traits could be distinguished from other peers by the early onset of their violent criminal behaviors and repetitiveness of unlawful actions. These adolescents tend to demonstrate expressions of psychopathic traits such as manipulative tendencies, deceitfulness, lack of empathy and remorse, impulsiveness, and irresponsibility in relations with others. Examining early expressions of psychopathy may help clinicians better understand how psychopathy manifests and develops, and perhaps identify the developmental period when the traits are least stable and potentially more responsive to treatment. It is still unclear if psychopathic traits in adolescent females can be measured by the same factor structures present in current measurement tools, and whether or not psychopathic behaviors seen in adolescent males are the same in adolescent females. Interpersonal and affective deficits within psychopathy also overlap with several forms of relationally aggressive behaviors seen in adolescent females; therefore, relationally aggressive behaviors could contribute to or correlate with psychopathy. This study examined the relationship between relational aggression and psychopathic traits amongst a sample of incarcerated adolescent females. An exploratory factor analysis was executed to determine the reliability and validity of the Youth Psychopathic Inventory (YPI) and Diverse Adolescent Relational Aggression Scale (DARAS) with an incarcerated adolescent female population. Correlational analyses were completed to demonstrate a positive relationship between relational aggression and psychopathic traits. Finally, a factorial MANOVA was performed to demonstrate no distinguishable significant differences with age and race/ethnicity in regard to relational aggression and psychopathic traits within this population.

On any given day, one in 28 children loses a parent to incarceration, creating a higher risk for mental health concerns and antisocial and criminal behavior. This study examined negative outcomes, such as antisocial behavior and criminal behavior, of children who have experienced a parent’s incarceration. A closer look was taken at the effects of mix timing incarceration, in and out of prison, on children. There was also an analysis on the influence of intergenerational criminal behavior on a child’s wellbeing and long-term outcome. The results of this study indicated that a parent incarcerated with mix timing during their children’s childhood and adolescence leads to a higher risk of mental health concerns in the minors. Depression was significantly higher in children with a history of parent imprisonment (M 54.6, SD 14.8) in comparison to children with a stable household (M 46.3, SD 9.6). All effect sizes showed that parental imprisonment with mix timing was associated with higher rates of child mental health concerns. Furthermore, findings showed that parental imprisonment was associated with higher rates of antisocial or criminal behavior among children. Children with imprisoned mothers reported being convicted for criminal activity at more than double the rate of the control group. Meanwhile, a significantly higher proportion of inmates had a history of paternal imprisonment (39%) than the control group (7%). As for aggressive and antisocial behavior, the odds ratio for children with parental imprisonment was 2.2 ( CI= 1.6-3.0) for boys and 1.7 (CI= 1.3-2.4) for girls. The results of the study provide insight and awareness of the increasing numbers of children falling into a pattern of intergenerational incarceration, as well as mental health concerns and antisocial or criminal behavior. This dissertation provides evidence of the need for resources, awareness, and further prevention.

Federal correctional officers’ and licensed psychologists’ five personality traits were evaluated to see if there were any differences in their traits and how they perceived the following: mental illness in general, mentally ill inmates, and each other. There were 97 federal correctional officers and 45 licensed psychologists who participated in this study. Federal correctional officers and licensed psychologists were found to differ in their perceptions toward mental illness in general, mentally ill inmates, and each other. Federal correctional officers were found to perceive mental illness in general and mentally ill inmates more negatively than licensed psychologists. Federal correctional officers and licensed psychologists perceived each other in a negative light. Licensed psychologists were found to have significantly higher extraversion scores in comparison to federal correctional officers. Specific personality traits were found to be influential factors in the way federal correctional officers and licensed psychologists perceive mental illness and each other. In addition, the way federal correctional officers’ perceived mentally ill inmates were influenced by their traits while licensed psychologists’ traits did not.

Although approximately 60%-80% of detained adolescents have a psychiatric disorder, little is known about their utilization of mental health and substance-related treatment services upon release from detention. Given that treatment can potentially reduce symptomology and recidivism, the study examined detained adolescents’ post-detention treatment utilization and longitudinal patterns of use. Data were abstracted from the electronic juvenile justice records and medical records of 9664 detained adolescents (62.7% male; 34.8% White, 65.2% Black; 72.6% with disorder) with Medicaid coverage held in a Midwestern detention center at some time during 1998-2011. A series of statistical tests (e.g., chi-square, ANOVA, logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier survival analyses, Cox regression) were conducted to identify group differences in treatment utilization during the 14-year follow-up period. Following detention release, approximately 66.2% of adolescents were re-arrested and 54.9% were re-detained or incarcerated. Treatment utilization within two years post-detention was 36.7%; 31.4% obtained mental health treatment, 10.4% obtained substance-related treatment, 36.0% obtained outpatient treatment, and 6.2% obtained non-outpatient treatment. Among treatment users, 22.5% dropped out of treatment within 1-3 sessions and 40.6% experienced gaps (>45 days) between treatment services. Treatment utilization was significantly higher among males, White (vs. Black) adolescents, younger adolescents, violent (vs. non-violent) offenders, recidivists (vs. non-recidivists), and adolescents with mental disorders (vs. substance-related disorders). Variables associated with increased likelihood of post-detention treatment included: male gender, psychiatric disorder(s), pre-detention arrest(s), charge severity, violent offender, incarceration, and pre-detention treatment; age and Black race were associated with decreased likelihood of treatment. As one of the only longitudinal studies to examine treatment utilization among detained adolescents upon community reentry, findings suggest limited service utilization, as well as treatment gaps and disparities. Future research should focus on the treatment needs of detained adolescents, factors associated with disparities, and programs/policies to ensure consistent identification, referral, and connection to care for detained adolescents.

The forensic artists who create suspect composite drawings of wanted criminals for law enforcement agencies are frequently exposed to the details of traumatic events. The manner and degree to which this exposure to details of violence affects the perceptions and lives of these artists comprise the basis of this phenomenological study. Interviews with 8 experienced forensic artists include inquiries about their background and training and their perceptions of the most disturbing type of crimes, and also about how they subjectively process the traumatic material received via the cognitive interviews that they conduct with victims and witnesses of violent crime. Perceptions of a more comprehensive effect of violence on society are also explored. Other pivotal aspects of this study include the manner in which memories of criminal cases are evoked, and specifically the way in which specific facial features that these artists have imaged in composites may act as triggers to these memories. The results of this inquiry reveal the varied degrees to which these forensic artists are conscious of the effects of this repeated exposure to traumatic detail. However, conscious revelations of such an impact on their lives occur frequently during the research interviews due to the narrative process of specific cases with which they had been involved. Recommended future research includes further exploration of specific facial features as triggers to traumatic memory and of the gender of the forensic artist may have on the perception of facial features and their translatable meanings within the context of a suspect composite interview.

Crime and drug use are social issues that have profound negative effects on society. Trait displaced aggression (TDA) is the tendency of an individual to respond to a provocation by aggressing against a target other than the original provocateur. The current study was the first to examine whether TDA was associated with (a) specific criminal behaviors, and (b) specific types of drug use as well as the first to assess the potential mediating effect of impulsivity on these relationships. Participants were administered self-report questionnaires assessing TDA, drug use, criminal behavior, and impulsivity. TDA was related to violent but not nonviolent crime and this relationship was mediated by impulsivity. In addition, TDA was related to the use of several specific drugs including crack, marijuana, and cocaine. Implications of these findings for reducing both crime and drug use will be discussed.

This research provides original data on the study of obsessive-compulsive personality traits in law enforcement. The study explored prevalence of obsessive-compulsive personality traits (OCPT) in law enforcement (compared to the general population) in association with the occupational need for such characteristics in that profession (orderliness, organized, attentive to detail, display restricted affect, adhere to laws and regulations, and assume leadership roles). While many studies seek to explain police personality, no literature could be found regarding prevalence of OCPT in sworn peace officers. Degree of OCPT was measured by the total mean score on the Five Factor Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (FFOCI) and compared using a one-tailed independent samples t-test. Differences between two groups across 12 subscales were analyzed retroactively using a MANOVA for qualitative descriptions of each group. Research revealed, with statistically significant results (p<.01), that prevalence of OCPT is significantly higher overall in law enforcement peace officers when compared to non-law enforcement participants. Results from this study contribute meaningfully to police psychology within the field of forensic psychology. Results have the potential to influence supplemental assessment for peace officer candidacy screening.

The current study examined the relationship between psychopathic personality traits and various forms of deception. Through the use of the Elemental Psychopathy Assessment to measure psychopathy, and several different assessment tools to measure deception, including the Multidimensional Deception Inventory (MDI), the relationship between psychopathic personality traits and deception was examined. Using an undergraduate sample of 261 participants at a large research university in the Southeastern United States, the relationship between the aforementioned constructs was explored. Results indicated that the overarching personality traits of Antagonism and Disinhibition were positively related to multiple dimensions of lying behavior. Frequency of lies told, Duping Delight (lies told for enjoyment), and lies told for personal gain/impression management and to avoid disclosing pertinent information were positively related to both Antagonism and Disinhibition. Results point to the need for future study in this area, as limited previous research has looked at the overlap between psychopathic personality traits and deception.

Research suggests that sexual abuse (SA) increases the likelihood of alcohol/drug use (AOD), and that AOD increases criminality. As such, in this study 50 women completed a survey reporting their histories of SA, AOD, and criminality. Fifteen related hypotheses were formulated: age at which drug abuse began would be lower; total number of drugs used, higher; age of first crime, lower; age of first incarceration, lower; and cumulative time in prison, greater, for those with SA vs. those without, for those who did not report their SA vs. those who did, and for those who did not receive treatment for SA vs. those who did. Thirteen of 15 hypotheses trended as predicted, significantly different from chance using Chi square. Trends for those who did not report SA vs. those who did, and for those who did not receive treatment for SA vs. those who did, were universally in line with hypotheses. Hypotheses regarding those with SA vs. those without remain less clear, with three of five outcome measures trending as expected. Together, these findings suggest that it may not be an SA history in itself that predicts earlier and greater severity of AOD, earlier criminal behavior, and greater prison time; but that the lack of treatment for SA and lack of reporting of SA may predict earlier and more severe behavioral disruptions. This underscores the importance of supporting girls and women who experience SA with access to reporting and treatment to reduce the emotional and behavioral sequellae of SA.

Keywords: substance use, sexual abuse, criminality, alcohol use

The research question posed within this study is "What are the primary ecological factors that impact successful reentry of ex-offenders from incarceration to civil society?". This question is answered through a thorough study of the literature that investigates the complex relationship between the individual ex-offender and their interfacing ecological system(s). Information gleaned from secondary research will be analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Thematic analysis is a research approach that provides a framework for identifying relevant resources and outcome information, comparing and contrasting these sources of information, and reporting on themes discovered within this extant literature. For the purpose of this study, thematic analysis was used to describe and organize the data collected and provided a framework to interpret the multifarious factors influencing prison reentry outcomes. Against the current trends of deficit-based and fragmented explanations for the growing trends in poor prison-reentry outcomes, this study introduces and promotes alternate explanations that offer a holistic approach which includes both the ex-offender and ecological system factors as relevant influences to be considered when addressing the social problem of prison reentry. Future recommendations emphasizing the vital role that psychologists play in developing policies and practices that improve prison reentry outcomes are offered, including efficacious approaches that are relevant to each level of the espoused ecological system.

Becoming employed after release is one of the most effective ways for returning citizens to successfully reintegrate into the community and to prevent recidivism. However, individuals recently released from jails and prisons face unique challenges, both personal and environmental, that impede this process. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a microtrial intervention for 47 recently released ex-offenders actively seeking employment. This intervention, tailored from the Michigan JOBS program, was designed to keep job seekers motivated. The researcher hypothesized that the intervention would increase levels of job search efficacy, self-efficacy, and job search behaviors both immediately after the intervention as well as at the two week follow-up, and that this relationship would be moderated by the personality factor of impulsivity. Previous research has linked higher levels of impulsivity with diminished follow-through and reduced engagement in goal-directed behaviors. The outcome of this study did not support this model, as impulsivity did not moderate this relationship, neither immediately after the intervention nor at the two week follow-up. Impulsivity was assessed using both self-report and behavioral measures. While it was predicted that the three measures of impulsivity would correlate highly and form a latent factor, the behavioral measure did not correlate strongly with one of the self-report measures, and therefore moderation analyses were run separately for each measure. Testing the effects of the intervention without the impulsivity moderator found that the inoculation against setbacks module increased levels of job search efficacy immediately after the intervention, but this effect faded by the two week follow-up. No other effects of the intervention by condition were found. The benefits and drawbacks of the microtrial methodology are described in greater detail, and future directions for interventions with this population are suggested.

This study added to the literature on pathways to prison by examining a sample of federal inmates to assess whether the pathways identified predicted future antisocial behavior, i.e., prison misconduct and post-release criminal activity. Previous research has generally focused on only one point in the criminal justice system, either identifying pathways to prison, analyzing behavior while incarcerated, or focusing on post-release offending. This research examined all of these points. The research presented here identified both unique and overlapping pathways to prison for men and women, as well as similarities and differences in the risk factors that predicted prison misconduct and recidivism for women and men.

While the latent class models, which identified the pathways to prison, relied heavily upon indicators highlighted in the gender-responsive literature, the final misconduct and recidivism models included those factors along with traditional, gender-neutral items. The methods in this research moved beyond previous studies that relied primarily on bivariate analyses of female inmates.

Four pathways emerged for both men and women each. Three of the pathways overlapped for both groups: drug, street, and the situational offender pathways. Males and females each had one unique pathway which represented opposite ends of the criminal experiences spectrum. A first time offender pathway emerged for women; a more chronic, serious offender pathway emerged for men. When the pathways to prison were the only predictors in the misconduct and recidivism models, the pathways consistently and significantly predicted antisocial behavior. Once the socio-demographic and criminal history factors were added to the models, however, the vast majority of the pathway effects on antisocial behavior were no longer statistically significant.

Because the current literature presents mixed results as to whether the same factors predict offending for men and women, this study analyzed gendered aspects of prison misconduct and recidivism. There were more differences than similarities in the factors that significantly impacted these antisocial behaviors.

Media accounts have influenced public opinion about the insanity defense and have given rise to misperceptions about its purpose and rate of usage. This study hypothesizes that the public is more likely to implicate mental illness in irrational crimes and that the more media exposure given to the case, the more likely the public is to implicate mental illness. This study also seeks to establish current public opinion of the utility and prevalence of the insanity defense. The results of this research do not conclusively indicate that amount of media attention can be used to predict the public's tendency to implicate mental illness as a motive for crime, thus, hypothesis one was only partially supported. Meanwhile, hypothesis two, participants will be more likely to implicate mental illness in crime that they perceive to be irrational was not supported by this study. The third hypothesis, participants will be more likely to give a verdict of NGRI if they implicated mental illness as the motive for the crime, was only partially supported by this study. With the ever-growing media attention devoted to implicating mental illness in high-profile crimes, results from this study suggest that the public does not correlate the amount of media attention dedicated to high-profile cases with mental illness.

Prior research indicates that human service care providers experience especially high levels of chronic workplace stress and burnout compared to workers in other professions. Chronic workplace stress is linked to a variety of poor physical and mental health outcomes. There has been significantly more research to assess and support human service care providers in education, social welfare, and health care than providers working in law enforcement such as the population considered in this case study: juvenile justice officers, JJOs. In particular, there has been little prior research on juvenile justice officers (JJOs), who have the difficult job of working closely with incarcerated youth populations.

The intended contributions of this study are: (1) developing a descriptive baseline understanding of stress among an important and understudied population of human service care providers, (2) exploring human service care provider workplace stress through a new lens of empathy and meaning and (3) piloting a training to reduce stress with a focus on facilitating empathy and meaning. This research is carried out over three phases.

The promising insights from the case study and pilot analysis include strategies to support JJOs finding meaning in their workplace. These strategies are achieved through creating opportunities for building relationships and empathy with youth and coworkers, improving the system for communication and positive feedback with management and teaching emotion regulation, mindfulness and empathic communication to improve individual coping skills.