Alcohol Dependence and Criminal Behavior: Preliminary Results of an Association Study of Environmental and Genetic Factors in an Italian Male Population

Abstract

The aim of this study is to propose an innovative approach evaluating the connection between alcohol use disorders and criminal behavior. The research, structured as a case-control study, was based on the analysis of environmental (social variables) and genetic factors (single nucleotide polymorphisms of glutamic acid decarboxylase) in a population (N = 173) of Italian alcohol-dependent men. Group 1 (N = 47, convicted subjects) was compared with Group 2 (N = 126, no previous criminal conduct). Grade repetition, work problems, and drug problems were statistically associated with criminal behavior. Having daily family meals together and having children were inversely related to convictions. The genotype distribution of the two groups was similar. The association between environmental factors and antisocial behavior confirms previous findings in the literature. The lack of genetic association does not exclude the role of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system in determining antisocial behavior; further studies with larger samples are needed, together with investigation of other components of the GABA pathway.

GABA Receptors, Alcohol Dependence and Criminal Behavior

“…Inclusion and exclusion criteria, sample selection, methodological approach, and classification of felonies have already been described by the authors in a previous study (3). Environmental factors related to criminal behavior were selected according to the criteria described in the same article previously mentioned (3).…”

“…Group 2, n = 139, no history of criminal conduct, recruitment from AD treatment centers in Dolo, Rovigo, and Cittadella (Veneto) and the Section of Forensic Toxicology, University of Padova. Inclusion and exclusion criteria, sample selection, methodological approach, and classification of felonies have already been described by the authors in a previous study (3). Environmental factors related to criminal behavior were selected according to the criteria described in the same article previously mentioned (3).…”

“…Alcohol use disorders (abuse and dependence) have been associated with criminal behavior (1,2). Biological and environmental factors may modulate the tendency to criminal conduct in alcoholics (3). From the biological point of view, the gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA) system promises interesting results in the study of the antisocial behavior of alcoholics (1), because GABA has been related to both alcohol dependence (AD) (4) and aggressiveness (5).…”

Grade repetition and bullying victimization in adolescents: A global cross-sectional study of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) data from 2018

“…A US study found that grade repetition was independently associated with increased risk of behavior problems among white children and adolescents [ 10 ]. Despite a growing evidence base that links grade repetition to adverse behavioral outcomes [ 11 – 13 ], the literature includes mostly small observational studies of specific behavioral outcomes, such as bullying victimization, and provides inconsistent results [ 14 , 15 ]. One study found no differences in bullying victimization between socially promoted and retained students in public schools [ 14 ].…”

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“…A US study found that grade repetition was independently associated with increased risk of behavior problems among white children and adolescents [10]. Despite a growing evidence base that links grade repetition to adverse behavioral outcomes [11][12][13], the literature includes mostly small observational studies of specific behavioral outcomes, such as bullying victimization, and provides inconsistent results [14,15]. One study found no differences in bullying victimization between socially promoted and retained students in public schools [14].…”