Benchmark – Measuring Criminal Behavior
Use the research in the article to identify the connections between childhood factors and future intimate partner violence. What specific factors predicted intimate partner violence in adulthood?
The findings show that Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is predicted by childhood and adolescent factors. The most predictive factors were measured at age 8-18. Notably, the identified factors were rooted in the family relationship and individual characteristic domains. Thus, the specific factors that predicted IPV in the family domain were disrupted family, criminal father, a low income family, large family size, experiencing poor supervision, disagreement with parents at age18 and a disrupted family. On the other hand, the individual characteristics included aggressive temperament at age 14, drug use at age 18, unpopularity at age 8-10, low verbal IQ, high impulsivity and daring. The factors listed above were identified as critical in defining a man’s ability to deal with life transitions as well as his developmental trajectory (Theobald, D., & Farrington, 2012)..
The study concludes a previous research that suggested that family and individual characteristics assessed during childhood and adolescence are the most appropriate factors that predict IPV in adulthood. In this case, individuals from low-income families are likely to experience economical stress. Thus, the economic pressure arising from this factor tends to induce the feeling of anger, emotional distress and frustration. These factors result in IPV in the family of the individual, thus increasing their likelihood to adopt a similar behavior as they grow up. This can also be observed in a large family where various families reside. As such, an individual’s married relative may exhibit violent behavior towards their partner, thereby influencing the child or adolescent.
On the other hand, the individual characteristics identified including drug use at age 18 and low verbal IQ may influence a person’s behavior. In this case, the factors limit an individual’s ability to develop communication skills. Thus, such individuals may opt for violence as the most appropriate technique of resolving problems within the relationship as opposed to the idea of discussion. Consequently, aggressive and daring adolescents grow to become violent partners in relationships. Notably, such individuals act under the motive of proving their courage by engaging in criminal behaviors. In summary, the identified factors including family and individual characteristics play a critical role in shaping the character of a child or adolescent in their adulthood (Mansley, 2009).
Knowing these factors influence adult offending, how might this information be used to make crime prevention policy?
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a pervasive form of violence that involves the use of physical, sexual or psychological harm against one’s female partner. This behavior can be prevented through the development of a crime prevention policy based on the predictive factors identified in the study. The factors including family and individual characteristics can be addressed by introducing policies targeting children and adolescents. Firstly, social-emotional learning programs should be established to target children and adolescents on conflict resolution, positive communication and anger management. In this case, individuals will be able to learn on how to control their emotions as well as improving their verbal IQ. Thus, this approach will empower individuals to resolve conflicts through communication during their intimate relationship.
This policy can be implemented in schools to incorporate the studies in the school timetables. One of the factors mentioned in the study was unpopularity at age 8-10. Thus, a child or adolescent lacking popularity at this age can feel neglected and therefore impact his ability to connect with others. This behavior can therefore be prevented by encouraging parents and teachers to motivate their children and express care starting from a young age. This approach will make the children and adolescents feel liked and therefore resolve the issue of unpopularity. Today, most parents tend to neglect their children and adolescents, thus increasing their risk of adopting criminal behaviors.
Research some existing programs that attempt to alleviate the problem of intimate partner violence. Based on the existing programs and the criminal research data in the assigned article, what resources could be used to alleviate intimate partner violence? Explain. (comp. 2.2)
In this case, parents should ensure adequate supervision on their children and provide the necessary support whenever they are required. Thus, education programs on parents should be established to equip them with adequate knowledge on how to handle their children at different ages. This approach can be helpful in resolving the disagreements that occur when children reach the age of 18. The establishment of bystander programs can help in empowering and educating teenagers on how to respond to interpersonal conflicts including Intimate Partner Violence.
This program can be helpful in raising awareness regarding the escalation of aggressive behaviors to more serious behaviors in adulthood. Additionally, programs aimed at engaging men and boys can be established to create a positive influence and prevent peer pressure from negative influence. Thus, they aim at preventing domestic violence for children and youth. In this program children are taught on ways of fostering resilience, respect and healthy growth while growing up. This represents a trauma-informed practice in order to succeed in fostering resilience in children and adolescents (Theobald, D., & Farrington, 2012).
These programs can be used to prevent negative influence from families with violence. From the research, it is evident that the IPV is predicted at the age 8-18. In this case, the established programs should targeting children and adolescents within this age group. The research identified high impulsivity as one of the individual characteristics likely to influence children to engage in Intimate Partner Violence in their adulthood. Thus, educators should be equipped with the necessary resources including information material on how to train adolescents on the consequences of their actions. This technique can assist in educating children on how to carefully consider their actions since they are likely to suffer from the outcomes. In this case, the program will be helpful in eliminating daring behaviors that often result in violence towards partners in adult life (Centers for Disease Conrol and Prevention, 2019).
Given that low-income families record high cases of IPV, it essential to address the issue from its root cause. In this case, families should be empowered to generate income in various ways, thus reducing poverty. As a result, financial support will be necessary as well as opportunities for generating income in poverty-stricken areas. This approach will ensure that partners and families have adequate resources to support themselves, thus reducing emotional distress, frustration and anger. Consequently, funds should be allocated to finance teaching activities on drug abuse. With these intervention programs, adolescents will learn on the dangers of abusing drugs at an early age, thus reducing the likelihood of adopting negative behaviors like IPV (Mansley, 2009).
Reference
Centers for Disease Conrol and Prevention. (2019). Intimate Partner Violence: Prevention Strategies [Ebook]. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/prevention.html
Jordan, C. E., Nietzel, M. T., Walker, R., & Logan, T. K. (2004). Intimate partner violence: A clinical training guide for mental health professionals. Springer Publishing Company.
Mansley, E. A. (2009). Intimate partner violence: Race, social class, and masculinity. Lfb Scholarly Pub Llc.
Theobald, D., & Farrington, D. P. (2012). Child and adolescent predictors of male intimate partner violence. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, 53(12), 1242-1249.