The Centre for Social Sciences Research (CSSR) and the  Institute for Democracy, Citizenship and Public Policy in Africa  (IDCPPA) at the University of Cape Town invite you to join us for a lunchtime seminar on 2 April 2024 at 12:45pm. The seminar will be presented by A/Prof. Leon Holtzhausen.

About the Seminar:

The effects of adverse childhood experiences on altruistic behavior in a South African sample of emerging adults.

There is a growing body of evidence that links Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in early childhood development to certain deviant behaviors later in life. Less is known about the possible linkages between Adverse Childhood Experiences and altruistic behavior. The purpose of this study is to examine the possible influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on deviant and altruistic behavior found in emerging adulthood. The sample population consisted of 413 young adults between the ages of 18 and 20 from the Western Cape, South Africa. Data was collected by making use of the following self-report questionnaires:

Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire, the Deviant Behavior Scale, and the Altruistic Scale. Pearson correlations found that experiencing childhood physical neglect and exposure to domestic violence were the two strongest correlations with deviant behaviors later in life. Furthermore, Chi square tests for association revealed significant associations between childhood adversity and altruistic attitudes.

Early detection and intervention of Adverse Childhood Experiences could potentially reduce criminal justice involvement and increase altruistic attitudes during emerging adulthood.

Speakers

Leon Holtzhausen is an Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town. His research focus is broadly situated in the fields of social justice, crime, and violence. More specifically; Criminal Justice Social Work (CJSW), including Forensic Social Work, Prison Social Work, and Substance Use Disorders. He also undertakes research with vulnerable children, youth, and adults, with a focus on the assessment and intervention of child and youth violent sex offenders and trauma work with survivors of child abuse and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

 2 April 2024
 12:45 - 14:00 SAST
  CSSR Seminar Room, 4.29 Robert Leslie Social Science Building, UCT

Hosted by the Centre for Social Science Research and the Institute for Democracy, Citizenship and Public Policy in Africa