A Biopsychosocial Perspective on Antisocial and Delinquent Behavior: A Systematic Review on Biopsychosocial Interaction

• In Event: Contemporary Issues in Biosocial Criminology

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Researchers have traditionally explained antisocial and delinquent behavior by focusing on psychosocial risk factors, such as maltreatment and delinquent peers. More recent studies have focused on biological risk factors, including neuropsychological deficiencies and psychophysiological anomalies. However, based on the leading biopsychosocial model of behavior, the interaction between biological and psychosocial risk factors is essential to understand development of antisocial and delinquent behavior. Over the past two decades studies on the interaction between biological and psychosocial (biosocial) risk factors have accumulated.
OBJECTIVES. A systematic review of the myriad of study findings contributes to our understanding of this topic. The accrued knowledge is relevant from a criminal justice perspective for the identification of youth at risk and subsequent interventions.
METHOD. Studies were included when they were (i) published in international peer reviewed journals, (ii) available in English, (iii) contained empirical, quantative research, and (iv) reported on the interrelation (interaction, mediation, moderation) of biological and psychosocial risk factors (v) in predicting antisocial or delinquent behavior.
RESULTS. Studies were categorized based on the following biological domains; obstetric factors, genetics, brain deficiencies, psychophysiology, neurotransmitters, hormones and neuro(psycho)logical factors. Data are currently analysed. Results will be presented at the conference.

Authors

• Babette C. M. van Hazebroek, Leiden University

• Lieke van Domburgh, VU University Medical Center, Intermetzo-Pluryn

• Machteld Hoeve, University of Amsterdam

• Jan W. de Keijser, Leiden University

• Arne Popma, Leiden University