Hope, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Resilience in the Criminal Justice System: Reevaluation of Relationships in the Turkish Context

Abstract

According to data from 2021, Turkey has the highest incarceration rate among European countries. The probation system in Turkey is managed by the government and includes programs, resources, and services to help prevent individuals from engaging in criminal activities. Hope is a crucial factor in coping with adversity, and studies have shown resilience can be the protector of those involved in the criminal justice system. Additionally, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have a significant impact on future victimization and criminal behavior, as individuals with higher ACE scores are more likely to engage in criminal activities. This study was conducted among 107 individuals who were under probation in Turkey to examine the relationship between hope, resilience, and ACEs. The scores were analyzed using a regression model, and the results showed that ACEs did not notably moderate the relationship between hope and resilience. Additionally, having higher levels of hope or ACEs did not play a significant role in predicting the resilience of the individual, which contradicts the previous literature. The implications of these findings will be discussed in terms of cultural differences and the criminal justice system. Future studies should explore the impact of culture on the relationship between hope and resilience.

Keywords

• adverse childhood eperiences
• hope theory
• resilience
• criminal justice