PhD defence P. (Pascalle) Spaan

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:

Using various quantitative methods the thesis investigated potential biopsychosocial risk factors for aggression and crime. In part I, the thesis focuses on associations between psychopathology and delinquency over time. In part II, biopsychosocial risk factors for delinquency and aggression towards self and others are examined. In part III of this thesis, sexual offending in criminal careers is studied. In short, evidence was found for the following biopsychosocial risk factors in association with delinquency, or aggression aimed at others or aimed at the self (suicide and self-injury): conduct problems, attention and hyperactivity problems, HPA-axis reactivity, stress, neighborhood risk, and harsh parenting. Some forms of coping were found to be protective factors. Furthermore, the thesis found evidence that aggression aimed at others in adolescence often co-occurs with aggression aimed at the self (i.e. dual-harm), and found that sexual offenses are often part of a wider pattern of antisocial behaviors in criminal careers. This thesis argues for a more nuanced view in the study and treatment of individuals that conduct aggressive and offending behaviors. Finally, with regards to aggression and criminal offending, the thesis discusses important limitations of the conducted studies and broader literature, avenues for future research, and implications for screening, prevention, and intervention efforts.

This thesis may be especially of interest to researchers and practitioners in forensic psychiatry, developmental psychology, and criminology.