Early Psychological Trauma and Its Relationship with Criminal Behavior in Youth: The Mediating Roles of Empathy and Impulsivity

Abstract

Background: Early psychological trauma has been consistently identified as a significant developmental risk factor associated with a range of adverse psychological and behavioral outcomes, including criminal behavior. However, the psychological mechanisms through which childhood trauma contributes to criminal tendencies remain insufficiently understood. In particular, empathy and impulsivity have been proposed as important factors that may explain this relationship. Objective: This study examined the relationship between early psychological trauma and criminal behavior among youth and investigated the mediating roles of empathy and impulsivity in this relationship. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational design was employed. The study included 232 participants (M = 28.0 years, SD = 5.3) who completed standardized measures of early psychological trauma, empathy, impulsivity, and criminal behavior. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple regression analysis, and bootstrap mediation analysis. Results: Early psychological trauma was positively associated with criminal behavior (r = .64, p < .001) and impulsivity (r = .57, p < .001), whereas it was negatively associated with empathy (r = −.53, p < .001). Regression analyses indicated that empathy negatively predicted criminal behavior (β = −.46, p < .001), while impulsivity positively predicted criminal behavior (β = .53, p < .001). Mediation analysis revealed significant indirect effects of early psychological trauma on criminal behavior through both empathy and impulsivity, supporting a partial mediation model. The indirect pathways accounted for a substantial proportion of the total effect. Conclusion: The findings suggest that early psychological trauma contributes to criminal behavior both directly and indirectly through reduced empathy and increased impulsivity. These results support developmental models emphasizing the role of socio-emotional and self-regulatory processes in the pathway from childhood trauma to criminal behavior. The findings further highlight the importance of trauma-informed prevention and intervention programs that strengthen empathic functioning and self-regulation among trauma-exposed youth.