Posted: December 11th, 2022

The Role of Mental Illness in Predicting Criminal Behavior

The Role of Mental Illness in Predicting Criminal Behavior

Date:
The Impact of Mental Illness on Criminal Behavior
According to Perrotta’s (2020) research, a person’s proclivity to commit criminal acts increases with the severity of their mental condition. People who have had contact with the criminal justice system in the United States are more likely than the general population to develop mental illness (Perrotta, 2020). Individuals with a history of drug use are more likely to develop behavioral and cognitive issues, as well as engage in criminal behavior. According to research, mental illness predicts violent crime, property crime, and public order violations to a large extent. Mental illness is also a strong predictor of recidivism. Those suffering from mental illnesses are more likely to become victims of crime than those who do not (Siennick et al., 2022). They are also more likely to be arrested and imprisoned. Mental illness is a significant predictor of victimization and criminal behavior.
Mental illness is a major public health concern. According to reports, one out of every five people in the United States suffers from a mental illness. Mental illness is associated with a number of negative outcomes, including decreased life expectancy, an increased risk of suicide, and an increased risk of victimization. Mental illness is also a significant economic burden, costing the United States billions of dollars in direct and indirect costs each year. Criminal behavior is significantly influenced by mental illness. Early intervention and treatment of mental illnesses are critical for crime prevention. From policing and sentencing to treatment and rehabilitation, mental illness should be considered in all aspects of the criminal justice system.
Several arguments contend that mental illness has no bearing on criminal behavior. These debates usually center on one or more of the following points:
1. Mental illness is not a reliable predictor of criminal behavior.
2. Mental illness does not predict violent crime in a significant way.
3. Mental illness does not appear to be a significant predictor of recidivism.
4. Mental illness does not significantly predict victimization.
5. The prevalence of mental illnesses is a minor public health issue.
6. Criminal behavior does not significantly increase the likelihood of mental illness.
Typically, the first three reasons emphasize the lack of evidence linking mental illness to criminal behavior. These arguments highlight that, after controlling for all other variables, mental illness does not significantly predict crime, violent crime, or recidivism. Argument 4 frequently emphasizes the tenuous relationship between mental illness and victimization. This argument focuses on the fact that mental illness is not a reliable predictor of victimization or criminal behavior.
Argument 5 highlights the scarcity of evidence linking mental illness to poor outcomes. This argument emphasizes that a variety of negative consequences, such as a lower life expectancy, an increased risk of suicide, and a higher risk of victimization, are not always associated with mental illness. Argument 6 frequently emphasizes the scarcity of evidence linking mental illness to criminal behavior. This argument emphasizes the lack of a genuine link between mental illness and criminal behavior.
These are some of the arguments for why mental illness does not predict criminal behavior. While these arguments have some merit, it is important to remember that mental illness is a significant public health problem that is associated with a wide range of negative outcomes (Siennick et al., 2022). Early intervention and treatment of mental illnesses are critical for crime prevention. From policing and sentencing to treatment and rehabilitation, mental illness should be considered in all aspects of the criminal justice system.
Several strategies can be used to assist caregivers, patients, and families dealing with mental illness in reducing the number of criminal arrests.
1. Early intervention and treatment of mental illnesses are critical to crime prevention. Mental health interventions should be tailored to the individual’s specific needs. They should be delivered in a culturally competent and responsive manner to the individual’s specific circumstances.
2. All aspects of the criminal justice system, from policing and sentencing to treatment and rehabilitation, should take mental illness into account.
3. To meet the needs of people with mental illnesses, there should be more investment in mental health services and supports, including crisis intervention services.
4. Mental illness and its impact on criminal behavior should be educated on to families and caregivers. They should also be given support and resources to help them cope with the difficulties of caring for someone who has a mental illness.
5. People suffering from mental illnesses should be treated with dignity and respect. To ensure that people with mental illnesses receive the care and treatment they require, stigma and discrimination against them must be addressed.
These are just a few of the strategies that can be used to help reduce the number of criminal arrests among people with mental illnesses. It is critical to remember that each person is unique, and not all strategies will work for everyone. To be most effective, interventions and supports must be tailored to the individual’s needs.
The working alliance has been shown to significantly predict criminal behavior in people with mental illnesses. The working alliance was found to moderate reductions in mental illness symptoms and criminal thinking in a study of 265 probationers with mental illness and substance abuse problems (Scanlon et al., 2022). This suggests that the working alliance is an important consideration in the treatment of mental illness and can have a significant impact on reducing criminal behavior.
Other research has discovered a link between mental illness and criminal behavior. Girasek et al. (2022) discovered that psychiatric patients are more likely than the general population to be aggressors, and that violence is more common in psychiatric settings than previously thought. According to the findings of this study, mental illness can play a role in criminal behavior and that more attention should be paid to the mental health of those involved with the legal system. Overall, the findings suggest that mental illness can be a significant predictor of criminal behavior. Working together appears to be an especially important factor in treating mental illness and can have a significant impact on reducing criminal behavior.
Outward actions and behavior can often reveal a person’s mental state. According to the study, erroneous diagnosis of offenders with psychiatric disorders is a major contributor to the prevalence of mental illness in the corrections system (Lee, Yu, & Kim, 2020).
The term “mood disorder” comes from psychodynamic theory. Many criminals suffer from a mental illness that manifests itself in a variety of ways, including sadness, social isolation, wrath, and narcissism. Juvenile detainees are also prone to conduct disorder. Children with conduct disorders struggle to pay attention and follow directions (Lee, Yu, & Kim, 2020). Many young people suffer from mental illnesses, with conduct disorder being one of the most common. Because of their behavioral issues, some children with mental disorders are stigmatized and shunned by their peers (Perrotta, 2020). As a result of the situation, children may become withdrawn and aggressive. Children diagnosed with this condition often have a history of exposure to trauma (McCart et al., 2020). (McCart et al., 2020). Some of these kids may be the result of a failed marriage.
Spreading awareness about providing support and shelter for those suffering from mental health issues is crucial if the United States is to prevail in the fight against these diseases. Because of their mental condition, they may be more likely to conduct a crime that causes harm to others. Media outlets should stop characterizing mentally ill persons as “crazy” when reporting on occurrences they create. The US case demonstrates how, if untreated, mental illness may be lethal. In addition, the government should conduct a thorough background check on all applicants for a firearms license to reduce the frequency and severity of mass shootings like those that have occurred in recent decades. Patients and the county would both suffer if they were treated like criminals.
References
Girasek, H., Nagy, V. A., Fekete, S., Ungvari, G. S., & Gazdag, G. (2022). (2022). Prevalence and correlates of aggressive behavior in psychiatric inpatient populations. World journal of psychiatry, 12(1), 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8783168/
Lee, D., Yu, E. S., & Kim, N. H. (2020). (2020). Resilience as a mediator in the relationship between posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth among adult accident or crime victims: the moderated mediating effect of childhood trauma. European journal of psychotraumatology, 11(1), 1704563. Full article: Resilience as a mediator in the relationship between posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth among adult accident or crime victims: the moderated mediating effect of childhood trauma (tandfonline.com)
McCart, M. R., Chapman, J. E., Zajac, K., & Rheingold, A. A. (2020). (2020). Community-based randomized controlled trial of psychological first aid with crime victims. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 88(8), 681. Community-based randomized controlled trial of psychological first aid with crime victims. – PsycNET (apa.org) (apa.org)
Perrotta, G. (2020). (2020). Pedophilia: definition, classifications, criminological and neurobiological profiles, and clinical treatments. A complete review. Open Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 5(1), 019-026. Pedophilia: Definition, classifications, criminological and neurobiological profiles, and clinical treatments. A complete review (peertechzpublications.com)
Scanlon, F., Hirsch, S., & Morgan, R. D. (2022). (2022). The relation between the working alliance on mental illness and criminal thinking among justice-involved people with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 90(3), 282. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/ccp0000719
Siennick, S. E., Picon, M., Brown, J. M., & Mears, D. P. (2022). (2022). Revisiting and unpacking the mental illness and solitary confinement relationship. Justice Quarterly, 39(4), 772-801. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07418825.2020.1871501