An Extended Literature Review Exploring the Impact of Trauma-Induced Biological Changes on Male Violence and Aggression.

By Bronte Woodhouse,

UWE Bristol (University of the West of England).

This extended literature review explores the impact of trauma-induced biological changes (TIBC) on male violence and aggression. Initially, thematic analysis was used to identify the relevant themes relating to the research inquiry which were then used to form the chapter titles and subheadings. The findings suggest that trauma can change biological mechanisms which can contribute to the externalisation of violence and aggression in men. The implications for this evidence are discussed in relation to the court setting in England and Wales and other western countries. The findings highlight the need for trauma-informed practices to be implemented into the criminal justice system to support the complex needs of offenders, particularly those with PTSD. The findings also emphasise the importance of conducting more research on TIBC before they are recognised in court as mitigating factors, in order to prevent unjust legal outcomes. These findings support previous research linking trauma to violent offending behaviour, emphasising the need for offenders to have access to the appropriate treatment to support their journey towards rehabilitation.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16098618

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