Risk factors and structure of female criminal aggression

Abstract

Due to the fact that today in the structure of female crime there is rapid growth and a significant proportion of especially grave crimes against life and health of the individual, the purpose of our study was to investigate the risk factors and structure of criminal aggression in women. The article presents the results of the study of 303 women who underwent inpatient forensic psychiatric examination in the Kyiv City Center of Forensic Psychiatric Examination over ten years (2002–2011). The role of biological, socio-demographic, psychological, and psychopathological factors in the formation of aggressive behavior in women was revealed and demonstrated, and the structure of socially dangerous acts directed against life and health of the individual was studied. The behavior of women who commit socially dangerous acts is characterized by particular audacity and cruelty, which is contrary to the traditional understanding of gender differences. Features of the biological nature of women determine the specificity of their social roles, which significantly affect female behavior, including criminal actions. It is established that specific criminality among women is associated with endocrine and physiological characteristics inherent in certain age groups. It is noted that most violent crimes committed by women occur in the family sphere, most of which fall under marital murder. The most significant role belongs to the psychopathological factor in the commission of acts of aggression by persons with severe mental disorders; however, less severe mental disorders (which do not exclude sanity in terms of criminal aggression) are also somehow reflected in aggressive behavior, although personal and individual psychological mechanisms of regulation retain a significant role. Also, the study revealed that drunkenness increases emotional perception of events and impulsiveness in responding to them, so the most serious and aggressive socially dangerous acts are committed by women immediately after consuming alcohol and other psychoactive substances. The authors hope that this work will aid in the implementation of preventive measures aimed at preventing socially dangerous acts against life and health of the person committed by women.