Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors Associated with Female Criminal Behavior among Women Offenders in Pakistan

Abstract

Female criminal behavior is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon shaped by a range of socioeconomic and demographic factors. Despite growing international interest in understanding the determinants of female offending, empirical research within the Pakistani context remains considerably limited. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between education level, employment status, domestic violence history, prior criminal record, marital status, psychological distress, and criminal behavior among female offenders in Pakistan. A sample of 300 female participants was selected using a convenience sampling technique from various urban, peri-urban, and rural areas across Pakistan. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire comprising demographic items and standardized rating scales measuring psychological distress and criminal behavior tendencies. Statistical analyses including Pearson correlation and linear regression were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, Version 12.0). The findings revealed significant relationships between all six independent variables and criminal behavior score. Domestic violence history and prior criminal record emerged as the strongest predictors of female criminal behavior, with prior criminal record accounting for the greatest unique variance (β = .474, p < .001). The regression model explained 64.8% of the variance in criminal behavior (R² = .648, F = 89.920, p < .001). The study highlights the critical role of socioeconomic vulnerability, domestic abuse, and criminal history in shaping female criminal involvement in Pakistan and underscores the urgent need for gender-sensitive policies, rehabilitation programs, and community-based interventions targeting at-risk women.

Keywords: Female Criminal Behavior, Domestic Violence, Education Level, Employment Status, Psychological Distress, Prior Criminal Record, Pakistan