Psychological pathways of violent and non-violent criminals: an exploration combining network analysis and Bayesian modeling

Wang-Cheng Cen, Cheng-Han Li, Yu-Hao Cui () and Wen-Jing Yan ()
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Wang-Cheng Cen: Wenzhou Medical University
Cheng-Han Li: Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University
Yu-Hao Cui: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Wen-Jing Yan: Wenzhou Medical University

Palgrave Communications, 2025, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Criminal behavior poses a significant threat to social security and public health, with notable psychological differences between violent and non-violent offenders. However, current research lacks a systematic investigation into multidimensional psychological variables and their interactions. This study explored differences in key psychological variables and their interactions between violent and non-violent offenders using network analysis and Bayesian network modeling. Psychological assessments were conducted on 749 male incarcerated individuals (335 violent, 414 non-violent offenders), covering impulsivity, personality traits, mindfulness, reinforcement sensitivity, childhood trauma, moral disengagement, criminal cognition, and risk attitudes. Results indicated mindfulness significantly influenced neuroticism and openness in non-violent offenders but not in violent offenders. Reinforcement sensitivity had a stronger impact on neuroticism among violent offenders. Criminal cognition significantly affected risk-taking via moral disengagement, with different pathways between groups. In non-violent offenders, criminal cognition was negatively moderated by agreeableness and positively related to reinforcement sensitivity; these effects were absent in violent offenders. This study highlights distinct psychological pathways between offender types, suggesting mindfulness-based interventions for non-violent offenders and emotional regulation training for violent offenders, providing practical implications for correctional interventions.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-05310-z

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