| This research explores whether the coping relapse model of criminal recidivism (Zamble & Quinsey, 1997) can improve the assessment and management of offenders in the community. Briefly, the model, which relies heavily on dynamic factors, views criminal recidivism as a breakdown process whereby a recidivistic event is preceded by a series of identifiable precursors such as daily life hassles, chronic life stressors, and negative affective. Criminal conduct results when such factors interact negatively with enduring individual differences such as psychopathy and/or available response mechanisms such as social support systems, coping efficacy, and criminal attitudes. A multi-wave prospective research design is being used to test the validity of the model using approximately 300 newly released male offenders. Assessments are being conducted immediately prior to release and at 1, 3, 6 and 9 month post release intervals. Results from the pre-release and one-month post-release phase will be presented.
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Updated 05/20/2006