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Psychological and criminological factors associated with desistance from violence: A review of the literature
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Psychological and criminological factors associated with desistance from violence: A review of the literature

Kate Walker, Erica Bowen and Sarah J Brown
Aggression and Violent Behavior, Vol.18(2), pp.286-299
2013
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2012.11.021
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2012.11.021View
Published Version

Abstract

desistance violence informal social control risk factors protective factors
Ample evidence exists that offenders eventually terminate their criminal careers, and this holds true for violent offenders. The causal mechanisms responsible for triggering and maintaining this process remain unclear; meaning that desistance from violence is poorly understood. This comprehensive review of the literature revealed that research in this area is hampered by definitional, operational, and measurement inconsistencies. Several of the conceptual frameworks used to explain desistance from delinquency have not been specifically applied in relation to violence. However, it was found that criminological enquiry suggests that informal social control (e.g., stable relationship and employment) play a role in desistance from violence and that theoretical frameworks which examine both internal and external change seem to show promise as an aid to understanding the desistance process. Psychological research has tended to focus on the role of risk and protective factors in relation to desistance but this, particularly protective factors, is currently under-researched. More knowledge needs to be assembled about how: (1) the mechanics of protective factors mitigate risk of future violence, and (2) how they play a role in the maintenance of violent free behaviors. Findings from criminology and psychology need to be expanded and integrated to extend our understanding of desistance from violence.

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34 Times Cited - Web of Science

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Web Of Science research areas
Criminology & Penology
Psychology, Multidisciplinary

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being
#16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Source: InCites

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