The interplay between trauma, substance abuse and appetitive aggression and its relation to criminal activity among high-risk males in South Africa

Abstract

BackgroundIn persistently unsafe environments, the cumulative exposure to violence predicts not only the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but also of increased aggression and violent outbursts. Substance use disorders interact with these developments, as drug consumption may blunt symptoms and also reduce the threshold for violent acts. Investigating the interplay between these variables and the possible cumulative effect of drug abuse on the attraction to cruelty is a crucial step in understanding the cycle of violence and developing intervention programs that address this cycle in violence-troubled communities such as low-income urban areas in South Africa.MethodsYoung males at risk (N = 290) were recruited through a reintegration center for offenders in Cape Town. We assessed types of traumatic events experienced, PTSD symptom severity, appetitive aggression, committed offenses and patterns of drug abuse prior to the perpetration of violence.ResultsPath-analyses confirmed a positive relationship between exposure to traumatic events and PTSD symptom severity, appetitive aggression, the number of committed offenses and drug abuse prior to violence. PTSD symptoms were positively associated with the propensity toward aggression. Furthermore, more severe drug abuse was related to higher attraction to violence and more committed offenses.ConclusionsWe conclude that like exposure to violence, drug abuse may play a key role in the attraction to aggression and criminal acts. Measures of violence prevention and psychotherapeutic interventions for trauma-related suffering may not be effective without enduring drug abuse rehabilitation.

Patient Absconding and Its Predictors: A 5-Year Retrospective Analysis in a General Teaching Hospital in Tehran, Iran

“…Drug abuse is recognized as a major predisposing factor for almost all types of trauma. In previous studies, the association between drug abuse, violence, aggressive and threatening behaviors, consequent traumas, and traffic accidents has been clarified (29,30). Drug abuse leads to violence and plays a crucial role in criminal behaviors.…”

“…Drug abuse leads to violence and plays a crucial role in criminal behaviors. Based on comparisons, patients with a trauma or injury history are exposed to a greater risk of drug abuse (30).…”

Associations between societal disapproval and changes in symptoms of PTSD and appetitive aggression following treatment among high-risk South African males

“…; DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Studies have confirmed the measure’s usefulness in terms of its psychometric properties in South African at-risk youth (Sommer et al, 2017a). Items were summed with a possible range from 0 to 51 points.…”

“…the perception that one’s suffering is acknowledged and understood. Research has shown that general disapproval is associated with more severe PTSD symptoms (Sommer et al,, 2017a, 2017b; Jones, Mueller & Maercker, 2006; Mueller, Orth, Wang, & Maercker, 2009). In relation to family disapproval and recognition, the findings are more diverse, with results indicating that family disapproval is either positively associated with (Maercker & Müller, 2004) or unrelated to PTSD (Sommer et al, 2017b; Jones et al, 2006).…”

The Role of Aggression and Sleep Quality on Substance Abuse in Risky Drivers

“…Many researchers have shown that taught pattern of conduct plays an important role in drug use. Some people believe that when they are solving a problem, they feel more anger and frustration, so they are tempted to use such substance in order to overcome these emotions (8,9). In a study con-ducted by Martinotti et al (10), it was shown that people experiencing failure and frustration may release their emotion in criminal activity and substance-related disorders.…”