The Portuguese Prison Population: The Relation Between Childhood Trauma, Mental Health, and Emotional Dysregulation

Mariana Salafranca-Alves, Gabriela Martinho, Patrícia Correia-Santos, Sofia Barros, Cláudia Oliveira, Raquel Flor and Anita Santos ()
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Mariana Salafranca-Alves: Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Maia—UMAIA, S. Pedro de Avioso, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal
Gabriela Martinho: Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Maia—UMAIA, S. Pedro de Avioso, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal
Patrícia Correia-Santos: Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Maia—UMAIA, S. Pedro de Avioso, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal
Sofia Barros: Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Maia—UMAIA, S. Pedro de Avioso, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal
Cláudia Oliveira: Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Maia—UMAIA, S. Pedro de Avioso, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal
Raquel Flor: Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Maia—UMAIA, S. Pedro de Avioso, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal
Anita Santos: Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Maia—UMAIA, S. Pedro de Avioso, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal

Social Sciences, 2025, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-18

Abstract: Childhood trauma has been associated with criminal behaviour and a variety of psychopathologies. Furthermore, it is known that emotional dysregulation (ED) predicts anxiety and depression and can be a product of traumatic experiences. In order to develop effective interventions for offenders’ rehabilitation and prevent recidivism, it is essential to fully understand their mental health and its relation with previous child trauma experiences and ED. This study involved a sample of 100 male inmates incarcerated in seven different prisons in the northern region of Portugal. The following measures were used: the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS). Our findings suggest that individuals who experienced physical and sexual abuse are more likely to perpetrate violent crimes and that ED increases anxiety and depressive symptoms in individuals with traumatic symptoms. In conclusion, it is imperative to provide psychological support to this population, and interventions need to be adapted according to trauma exposure.

Keywords: adverse childhood experiences; trauma; emotional dysregulation; violent crime; non-violent crime (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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