Examining attachment classifications and trauma history in violent and nonviolent juvenile offenders

Researchers have been studying criminal activity among youth since the 1960's trying to determine what might drive adolescents to commit crimes. There are many factors which may contribute to youth violence and juvenile delinquency. This study investigates attachment classifications and trauma history in a total sample of 20 violent and nonviolent juvenile offenders detained in a juvenile detention facility in San Mateo, California. Measures used to assess the youth offenders included the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC Briere, 1996), the Childhood Trauma Interview (CTI Fink, et al., 1995), and the Adult Attachment Projective (AAP George, West & Pettem, 1997). It was hypothesized that (1) male youth with a history of physical abuse will have more violent offenses than nonviolent offenses and (2) the violent offenders and nonviolent offenders will differ in terms of trauma in regard to disorganized attachment. Specifically, the violent offenders will have a higher incidence of disorganized attachment compared to nonviolent offenders.In regard to Hypothesis One, there were no multivariate or univariate analysis effects, meaning overall there were no significant differences between violent and nonviolent offenders in their history of trauma. In regard to Hypothesis Two, chi square analysis determined a significant difference between violent and nonviolent offenders, but in the opposite direction than expected. The incidence of disorganized attachment was higher among nonviolent juvenile offenders relative to the violent juvenile offenders in this population. Although the hypotheses were not supported in this study, it adds to current literature in the field of attachment, trauma and criminal psychology and provides a foundation for future studies of its kind.