Impulsivity in females with violent criminal offences: A resource scarcity investigation

Abstract

Purpose

In the context of scarcity and life history theories, the current research examined impulsivity in females with violent and non-violent offences, considering the internal mechanisms through which resource scarcity may affect impulsivity.

Methods

Conducted in a prison for women in China, this study surveyed 405 women with offences (190 with violent offences).

Results

Independent sample t-test results showed that females with violent offences demonstrated higher impulsivity (p < .01). A bootstrap analysis indicated that resource scarcity statistically predicted impulsivity, with mediating effects of scarcity mindset and life history strategy, and a chain mediating effect.

Conclusion

For females with violent offences, resource scarcity related to higher impulsivity, possibly shaping a scarcity mindset and an accelerated life history strategy as underlying psychological mechanisms.