CRIMINAL VIOLENCE AND QUANTIFICATION OF LIFE CHANGE (FROM HUMAN AGGRESSION AND DANGEROUSNESS, 1978, BY D LABERGE-ALTMEJD - SEE NCJ-57484)

• NCJ Number: 57491
• Author(s): J Petrich
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 15 pages
• Corporate Author: Institut Philippe Pinel de Montreal 12
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Canada

Annotation

A STUDY OF LIFE CHANGES PRECEDING THE COMMISSION OF VIOLENT OFFENSES BY 10 ACCUSED FELONS REFERRED BY COURTS IN SEATTLE, WASH., AND WESTERN MONTANA FOR PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION IS REPORTED.

Abstract

EACH SUBJECT UNDERWENT A BATTERY OF TESTS THAT INCLUDED A 42-ITEM QUESTIONNAIRE (SCHEDULE OF RECENT EXPERIENCE) THAT MEASURES THE OCCURRENCE AND FREQUENCY OF LIFE EVENTS OVER A 3-YEAR PERIOD. THERE WAS A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN REPORTED LIFE CHANGES IN THE YEAR PRIOR TO ARREST FOR VIOLENT BEHAVIOR IN NINE OF THE SUBJECTS. THE MOST FREQUENTLY REPORTED EVENTS WERE CHANGE IN RESIDENCE; DETENTION IN JAIL; MINOR VIOLATION OF THE LAW; MAJOR ILLNESS OR INJURY; MAJOR CHANGE IN FINANCIAL STATE, LIVING CONDITIONS, EATING HABITS, OR SLEEPING HABITS; CHANGE TO A DIFFERENT LINE OF WORK; AND GAIN OF A NEW FAMILY MEMBER. THIS PATTERN OF INCREASING LIFE CHANGE HAS ALSO BEEN FOUND TO PRECEDE THE ONSET OF OTHER FORMS OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, AND OF MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC SYNDROMES (INCLUDING SUICIDE ATTEMPTS). THE FINDINGS SUGGEST A MULTIFACETED ETIOLOGY OF VIOLENCE. IT MAY BE THAT A COMBINATION OF PERSONAL FACTORS (AGE, PRIOR LEARNING, CONDITION OF THE BRAIN, UNCONSCIOUS CONFLICTS), CIRCUMSTANCES (INTOXICATION, PROVOCATION, VICTIM AVAILABILITY), AND LIFE EVENTS (RECENT ADAPTIVE DEMANDS) IS NECESSARY FOR THE EXPRESSION OF VIOLENCE. THE FINDINGS ALSO SUGGEST THAT REDUCING LIFE CHANGES COULD BE HELPFUL IN TREATING VIOLENT OFFENDERS. SUPPORTING DATA AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. (LKM)