The relationships among severe punishment orientation, fear of crime, and the perceived risk of juvenile crime: The role of the child image as incomprehensible as an antecedent factor

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationships among severe punishment orientation toward juvenile offenders, fear of/perceived risk of juvenile crime, and the image of the child as incomprehensible. Building on existing arguments and research, we tested a hypothetical model that assumed that 1) severe punishment orientation was determined by fear; 2) fear was determined by the perceived risk; and 3) the perceived risk of juvenile crime was determined by the child image, and compared its goodness-of-fit and information criterion to those of a model built on slightly different assumptions. The analysis of data from 226 individuals supported the hypothetical model. The implications of this study’s findings were discussed.