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Anticipated early death and offending patterns: a retrospective self-report study
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Anticipated early death and offending patterns: a retrospective self-report study

Sarah Fishel
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-9534
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Abstract

Death--Attitudes Premature death Psychic trauma in children Juvenile delinquents Criminal behavior--Social aspects Life expectancy--Social aspects Psychology
Anticipated early death posits that some individuals engage in risky behaviors such as criminal offending because they believe that they will die or be killed prematurely, and thus they do not fear or otherwise minimize the potential lethal consequences of certain criminal behaviors. The aim of the present study was to provide preliminary information regarding anticipated early death utilizing a new sample and additional quantitative measures for this under-researched topic. Data was collected from three groups of targeted participants: (1) former community youth who spent no time in a detention center (n = 212); (2) former criminally involved, but not incarcerated youth, who spent less than 48 hours in a detention center (CINI; n = 203); and (3) former incarcerated youth, who spent more than 48 hours in a detention center (n = 202). Results supported both the presence and consequences of anticipating an early death. Those who anticipated an early death as a youth reported more extensive criminal histories than those who did not. Participants who anticipated an early death also reported more adverse experiences in their childhood than those who did not. Finally, those who anticipated an early death endorsed attitudes that reflected a romanticization or challenge toward death. These results support previous research and further suggest that anticipating an early death may place youth at a higher risk of engaging in criminogenic behaviors.

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