Location
Sydnor Performance Hall
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Start Date
4-17-2024 10:15 AM
End Date
4-17-2024 10:30 AM
College
Lynchburg College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Criminology
Keywords
mental health, mental illness, crime, treatment, abuse, neglect
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between mental health disorders and criminal activity and if having mental health issues makes an individual more susceptible to committing a crime. Past research has shown that mental illness and crime may or may not have a direct relationship with one another. There may be a tie between the two as crime can influence someone with declining mental health, but mental health can also influence someone to commit a crime. Symptoms from mental illness are not always the sole factors that influence a person. The environment they grew up in, crime victimization, or if the individual has ever received treatment for their mental health are factors that could contribute to their characteristics and if they commit a crime or not. The hypothesis was partially supported. Results showed that mental health did not play a direct impact on committing a crime as the disorder could be a disability from a childhood neglect or abuse or from lack of treatment. These findings indicate that there should be focus on rehabilitating those suffering from mental health disorders instead of incarcerating them for a crime, or working towards rehabilitation before a crime has ever been committed.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Joseph Hoft
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Mental Health and Crime: Correlation or Coincidence?
Sydnor Performance Hall
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between mental health disorders and criminal activity and if having mental health issues makes an individual more susceptible to committing a crime. Past research has shown that mental illness and crime may or may not have a direct relationship with one another. There may be a tie between the two as crime can influence someone with declining mental health, but mental health can also influence someone to commit a crime. Symptoms from mental illness are not always the sole factors that influence a person. The environment they grew up in, crime victimization, or if the individual has ever received treatment for their mental health are factors that could contribute to their characteristics and if they commit a crime or not. The hypothesis was partially supported. Results showed that mental health did not play a direct impact on committing a crime as the disorder could be a disability from a childhood neglect or abuse or from lack of treatment. These findings indicate that there should be focus on rehabilitating those suffering from mental health disorders instead of incarcerating them for a crime, or working towards rehabilitation before a crime has ever been committed.