Author(s)

Malek Y. Alkhutaba^*, Zahria I. Abdihaq

Department of Psychology, Isra University, Amman, Jordan.

The purpose of this study was to examine the child maltreatment as predictors of criminal thinking style among Adolescents. Sample of the study consisted of 150 adolescents (75 Juveniles and 75 normal people) were compared regarding to study variables, the participants almost all existing socioeconomic classes such as low, middle, and high classes in Jordan and they are similar in age, ranging from 12 to 18 years. They are also homogenous about nationality. Moreover, the sample was selected from public schools and rehabilitation centers for juveniles in Russeifa city in Jordan. For data collection, child maltreatment scale and criminal thinking styles “PICTS” which are founded by Imad Mikhmer, 2000 and Glenn Walters, 1989 respectively have been used. Results of the study indicated that there are statistically significant differences at α ≤ 0.05 between juveniles and normal people regarding the variables of the study in favor of criminal’s participants. While, there are no significant influence in mother physical maltreatment among the participants. Also, results of the study find out that there is a statistically significant relationship at α ≤ 0.05 between child maltreatment and criminal thinking styles. Finally, results of the study presented that the criminal thinking can be predicted from perceived father and mother maltreatment in childhood. Results show the danger of child maltreatment and how it affects in future and security of society, and how the cycle of maltreatment works with victim being prone to become a juvenile in the future.

Child Maltreatment, Criminal Thinking Styles and Adolescents

Alkhutaba, M. and Abdihaq, Z. (2018) Child Maltreatment as Predictors of Criminal Thinking Styles among Adolescents. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 6, 1-14. doi: 10.4236/jss.2018.611001.