Date

8-21-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Human Services: Emphasis in Forensic Behavioral Health

Department

Human Services

First Advisor

Jerrod Brown

Second Advisor

Janina Cich

Abstract

This capstone examined the relationship between deficits in emotional intelligence and behavioral escalation among justice-involved populations, who frequently demonstrated challenges with emotional regulation, impulse control, aggression, and behavioral escalation. However, many correctional interventions, including traditional anger management programming, emphasized behavioral compliance rather than the underlying emotional processing deficiencies that contributed to these behaviors. This project synthesized existing peer-reviewed literature from psychology, criminology, forensic behavioral health, and correctional rehabilitation research to examine how low levels of emotional awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, and interpersonal functioning are associated with aggression, recidivism, and escalating behaviors. Findings suggested deficits in emotional intelligence were consistently associated with justice involvement across multiple countries and types of offenses, though measurement inconsistencies between trait and ability models of emotional intelligence produced some conflicting results. Emerging intervention research, alongside increasing interest in trauma-informed approaches that may complement emotional intelligence-based programming, suggested this deficit may be modified through targeted programming, though additional controlled research is needed. This capstone concluded that integrating emotional intelligence-based training into existing anger management and rehabilitation frameworks may offer a promising yet underutilized avenue for reducing behavioral escalation among justice-involved populations.

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