Involvement in Extreme Violence and Violence-Related Trauma: A Review with Relevance to Young People in Custody

• NCJ Number: 238089
• Journal: Legal and Criminological Psychology Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2012 Pages: 89-104
• Author(s): Heather Welfare; Clive R. Hollin
• Date Published: February 2012
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This literature review focuses on research with two diverse aims: examination of the association between childhood abuse and the development of violent conduct; and examination of the effects of committing violence on the perpetrators of the violence.

Abstract

This literature review addresses four questions regarding trauma and violence. First, what is meant by the term "trauma" and how is it assessed? Second, what does the empirical literature indicate about the effects of childhood trauma on children and youth? Third, how has research and theory clarified the link between experiences of childhood trauma and the use of violence? Fourth, what does the literature indicate about the potential traumatizing effect on youth who commit violence against others? In addressing these questions, this review concludes that there is a body of evidence that indicates adverse effects stem from childhood abuse that includes the victim's engaging in later violent behavior; however, there is significantly less research on the impact of trauma induced by committing violence that significantly harms or kills another person. The research on the nature and impact of trauma on children and youth, alongside studies of the traumatic experiences of military veterans, provides a baseline from which to plan approaches for treating violent youth in custody. Four suggestions are offered for future research. First, future research should determine the prevalence of trauma among youth in custody who have engaged in violent behavior. Second, it should determine how many youth in custody are specifically affected by perpetration-induced trauma following their violent offense. Third, it should determine whether there is a particular traumatic effect from taking a life. Fourth, future research should identify the protective factors that insulate some youth from their potentially traumatic experiences. 1 table and 115 references