Impact of Childhood Traumas on Crime Behavior and Relevant

Therapies

Tianzhi Zhang

Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, U.S.A.

Keywords: Childhood Trauma, Crime Risk, Intervention.

Abstract: Childhood trauma is a critical factor contributing to long-term psychological distress and an increased risk of

criminal behavior. This paper explores the profound impact of various trauma types, including neglect, abuse,

sexual assault, and parental substance abuse, on the psychological development and behavioral patterns of

affected individuals. This essay uses the method of literature review. It highlights how such experiences

disrupt emotional regulation and foster maladaptive coping mechanisms, potentially leading to antisocial

tendencies and delinquency. The study also evaluates the efficacy of evidence-based therapeutic interventions

like Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and

Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Writing Therapy (CBWT) and Family-Based Treatment (TBF).

These therapies demonstrate significant potential in mitigating trauma symptoms, enhancing emotional

regulation, and reducing criminal tendencies. Moreover, the discussion emphasizes the importance of

systemic support, including accessible therapeutic services and judicial interventions, in addressing the root

causes of trauma-driven crime. This research aims to inform policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the

criminal justice system in fostering social stability and reducing crime rates.

1 INTRODUCTION

It has long been known that childhood trauma is a

significant risk factor for a variety of negative adult

consequences, such as psychological disorders, social

maladjustment, and an increased propensity for

criminal activity (Baron & Forde, 2019, Altintas &

Bilici, 2018). Empirical evidence underscores that

early exposure to maltreatment—encompassing

physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as

neglect—disrupts normative psychological

development, engendering maladaptive coping

mechanisms and impairing emotional regulation.

These maladaptations often manifest as antisocial

behavior and delinquency in later life (National

Institute of Justice, 2017). In addition, the correlation

between childhood trauma and subsequent

criminality is well-documented. Studies indicate that

individuals with histories of abuse or neglect are

disproportionately represented within the criminal

justice system. For instance, research has

demonstrated that adolescents who witness or are

victimized by violence are more likely to be charged

with crimes against persons in the future (Altintas &

Bilici, 2018). Despite the robust association between

early trauma and adult criminality, there remains a

paucity of research delineating the efficacy of specific

interventions tailored to address these antecedent

traumas. Comprehensive understanding of the

psychological ramifications of distinct trauma types

is imperative for the development of targeted

therapeutic modalities. Interventions such as

cognitive-behavioral therapy have shown promise in

ameliorating trauma-related symptoms and

enhancing emotional regulation, thereby potentially

attenuating the risk of subsequent criminal behavior

(Porrey, 2024).

This study endeavors to elucidate the

psychological ramifications of various forms of

childhood trauma and to evaluate the effectiveness of

corresponding intervention strategies. By

systematically analyzing the nexus between specific

trauma types, resultant psychological issues, and the

efficacy of targeted interventions, the research aims

to inform the development of evidence-based

practices. Such practices are essential for mitigating

the adverse effects of childhood trauma, thereby

reducing the propensity for criminal behavior and

contributing to broader societal well-being.

Zhang, T.

Impact of Childhood Traumas on Crime Behavior and Relevant Therapies.

DOI: 10.5220/0014116200004942

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Applied Psychology and Marketing Management (APMM 2025), pages 401-405

ISBN: 978-989-758-791-7

401

2 TRAUMA TYPES

2.1 Neglect

Neglect includes both material and emotional neglect.

Material neglect involves failing to provide a child

with basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter.

This can make a child feel abandoned and increase

their distrust of society. Since emotional neglect can

have significant and long-lasting impacts on a

person's emotional and psychological health, it is

regarded as a type of trauma (Gould, 2023). Parents

who neglect a child's needs - physical or emotional -

during childhood can cause trauma. For example if a

child screams or cries because of fear, their parents

continue to focus on their job or other things instead

of calming him or her, the child will gradually stop

crying and screaming because they know that their

emotional expression will not earn them attention or

emotional feedback. Over time, this signals to the

child that their emotional needs are not being met.

2.2 Abuse

Abuse is generally divided into physical abuse and

emotional abuse. Physical abuse usually refers to the

trauma that a parent inflicts on a child's body by using

their hands or other tools. Mental or psychological

abuse is when a parent belittles and scolds a child for

a long time. No matter what kind of abuse, it will

leave a very deep psychological shadow on the child.

These children will have varying degrees of

psychological problems. Children who are belittled,

humiliated or treated coldly for a long time may

develop a strong sense of inferiority and helplessness.

In addition, long-term and repeated abuse often has a

profound impact on brain development and

behavioral control ability.

2.3 Sexual Assault

Sexual assault refers to forced sexual intercourse

without the person's consent. Sexual intercourse with

or without the consent of a minor under the age of 12

is considered sexual assault. The psychological and

spiritual trauma of sexual assault is devastating, and

most people cannot escape the shadow of sexual

assault in their lives. In some cultures, victims may

be unable to seek help due to shame or stigma, which

can exacerbate psychological problems and traumatic

cognitions. In common, women influenced by

Eastern culture are more susceptible to stigma.

2.4 Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is common in western countries. In

the United States, approximately 14 million

individuals aged 12 and older, accounting for 6.3% of

the population, report active use of illicit drugs (Rowe

& Liddle, 2003). Interestingly, about 10% of

teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 claim to have

consumed illegal drugs in the previous 30 days (Rowe

& Liddle, 2003). This prevalence underscores the

gravity of illicit drug use among minors, which

remains a critical issue in Western countries. It

usually refers to parents who are addicted to drugs,

cannot tell the difference between reality and the

spiritual world, beat and abuse their children in

hallucinations. Parental substance abuse is often

coupled with financial hardship, domestic violence,

or criminal activity, resulting in children living in

highly unstable and dangerous environments. Abuse

caused by substance abuse not only traumatizes and

shadows the child, it is more likely that the child will

also use drugs.

3 THERAPIES

3.1 Trauma-Focused Cognitive

Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

For children aged 3 to 18 and their non-offending

parents or primary caregivers, trauma-focused

cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is a based on

evidence trauma-focused psychotherapy

methodology (Cohen et al., 2019). In order to address

a variety of emotional and behavioral issues related to

trauma happenings, whether they are single, multiple,

or complex, TF-CBT integrates trauma-sensitive

therapies with cognitive-behavioral, family, and

humanistic concepts and procedures. TF-CBT

techniques are used to help distorted thinking,

negative reactions, and behaviors (Green & Myrick,

2024). It helps challenge intrusive thoughts to help

patients organize their thinking in a healthier way

(Green & Myrick, 2024). Stewart and colleagues

report that 121 children and adolescents, ages 3 to 18,

obtained TF-CBT via 15 Salvadoran psychologists

who had received TF-CBT training in community-

based environments (Stewart et al., 2021). Then, a

study utilizing TF-CBT with a group from El

Salvador demonstrated that there were significant

reductions in youth-reported symptoms of anxiety (d

= 1.67, p<.001), depression (d = 1.68, p<.001), and

trauma (d = 2.04, p<.001) (Stewart et al., 2021).

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3.2 Eye Movement Desensitization and

Reprocessing(EMDR)

Research establishing the efficacy of eye movement

desensitization and reprocessing theories has grown

over time (Shapiro et al., 2017). The results of clinical

practice by many EMDR therapists working in

different countries show that EMDR is very effective

for children with PTSD (Beer, 2023). During EMDR,

patients are called to focus on past negative memories

and focus on changing the association of these

thoughts with different stimuli, and the eye

movements combined with therapy allow for

reprocessing. A study conducted by Jamshidi and

colleagues using EMDR was done on a group of 30

Iranian female victims of traumatic dissociation to

assess not only for effectiveness in alleviating post-

traumatic stress disorder symptoms, but also suicidal

ideation and mind-wandering using wait-list and

double-blind procedures (Jamshidi et al., 2021). With

an impact size of 0.72, 0.53, and 0.19 for PTSD,

suicidal thoughts, and mind-wandering, respectively,

the data revealed that EMDR greatly decreased these

symptoms (Jamshidi et al., 2021). Researchers may

conclude that this treatment is successful in helping

female victims of child abuse with their PTSD

symptoms, thoughts of suicide, and mind-wandering.

3.3 Cognitive Behavior Writing

Therapy (CBWT)

Cognitive behavior writing therapy (CBWT) is

another form of therapy previously researched that is

worth noting. CBWT helps cognitive restructuring,

encourages adaptive coping, and social sharing

(Green & Myrick, 2024). Compared to traditional

cognitive intervention methods, Cognitive

Behavioral Writing Therapy (CBWT) offers

enhanced privacy for clients. Many individuals who

have experienced trauma may be hesitant to openly

discuss their childhood experiences due to emotional

sensitivity or fear of judgment. Writing, however,

provides a secure and non-intrusive medium for

expression, enabling clients to process their

experiences in a private and controlled manner.

Moreover, this approach facilitates therapists in

gaining a deeper understanding of the clients'

circumstances more efficiently, thereby enabling

timely and targeted interventions. Twenty-three

subjects, ages 8 to 18, who had all previously suffered

from trauma, were recruited to investigate the

efficacy of CBWT. A pre-test, post-test, and follow-

up were conducted in this particular CBWT trial to

assess the effectiveness of the therapy (Van der Oord

et al., 2010). The findings of the post-test revealed a

notable reduction in the symptoms associated with the

trauma they had endured (Van der Oord et al., 2010).

The results of this study showing a decrease in

symptoms allows other researchers and psychologists

to see that CBWT is an effective therapy that can be

used to help people with past childhood trauma in a

significant way. Actually, there was no control group

in the experiment, the results may be controversial.

3.4 Family-Based Treatment(FBT)

FBT is one of the most comprehensive behavioral

therapies for addressing adolescent substance abuse.

Adolescents struggling with substance use disorders

often face significant challenges in engaging with and

adhering to treatment programs. Moreover, family

dysfunction, which is frequently associated with

various problematic adFamily-based strategies

provide clear benefits in overcoming barriers like

parental opposition to change, familial hardship, the

perceived challenge of therapy, and a strained

relationship with therapists—factors that frequently

prohibit troubled teenagers from getting the support

they require (Rowe & Liddle, 2003).

FBT applies three fundamental structural family

therapy strategies: "joining" (forming alliances with

all family members and taking charge to help them

change), "family pattern diagnosis" (identifying

family interactions linked to behavioral issues and

disengagement), and "restructuring" (by employing

strategies like detriangulation, restructuring, and

other tactics to change family interactions that

prevent the adolescent and their family from getting

help) (Minuchin, 1974). This approach effectively

preserves family integrity, reducing root causes of

issues such as adolescent homelessness and parental

separation. Additionally, it enables families affected

by substance abuse to maintain long-term

engagement in treatment, fostering sustained

recovery for all members.

4 DISCUSSION

Criminal behavior is closely linked to high levels of

aggression. It is generally accepted that individuals

with higher aggression are more likely to engage in

criminal activities. Moreover, males tend to exhibit

significantly more aggressive behaviors than females.

Childhood trauma is strongly associated with

aggressive behavior in males. In Macro's study, 540

male inmates received assessments using the Brown-

Goodwin Lifetime History of Aggression (BGHA)

Impact of Childhood Traumas on Crime Behavior and Relevant Therapies

403

interview, completed the Childhood Trauma

Questionnaire (CTQ), and had psychiatric interviews.

The results established a substantial positive

association between CTQ and BGHA scores,

highlighting that males are more likely to exhibit

aggressive behaviors if they have undergone severe

childhood trauma (Sarchiapone et al., 2009). In

contrast, females are less likely to exhibit aggression

and are more prone to internalizing negative

emotions, such as depression and anxiety.

Effectively intervening with children who

endured from childhood trauma, assisting them in

returning to a normal life, and so decreasing their

probability of committing crimes as adults are the key

components of reducing crime at its source. Research

has demonstrated that EMDR (Eye Movement

Desensitization and Reprocessing) and TF-CBT

(Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) are

highly effective in alleviating trauma symptoms and

reducing depression and anxiety. It is recommended

that governments and healthcare institutions expand

the accessibility of these therapies, particularly

among socioeconomically disadvantaged

populations. Community-based trauma support

centers could be established to provide free or low-

cost psychological therapy services for families and

children affected by trauma.

Furthermore, judicial institutions could

implement intervention programs utilizing therapies

such as TF-CBT and EMDR. Many offenders with

childhood trauma lack effective psychological

intervention during their incarceration, which

exacerbates their mental health issues and increases

their likelihood of recidivism. Providing these

interventions within the justice system could play a

crucial role in breaking this cycle.

However, this study acknowledges certain

limitations. Psychological interventions require

considerable time, which inevitably leads to higher

costs. Many individuals may forgo treatment due to

the inability to afford expensive therapies.

Additionally, some individuals with severe

psychiatric symptoms, such as hallucinations or

delusions caused by childhood trauma, may commit

crimes that are beyond their conscious control.

Judicial institutions must conduct thorough

assessments of such cases to ensure appropriate

treatment and support are provided.

5 CONCLUSION

Childhood trauma is a psychological issue that

warrants significant attention due to its potential to

lead to mental health disorders in adulthood and an

increased risk of criminal behavior. Childhood

trauma can be broadly divided into neglect, abuse

sexual assault and substance abuse. Fortunately,

researchers have identified and validated effective

intervention methods. However, the implementation

of these interventions still requires substantial support

from society and government entities. It is imperative

to ensure that a greater number of individuals who

have experienced childhood trauma have access to

effective interventions, thereby reducing their

likelihood of engaging in criminal activities.

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