Analysis of the causes of criminal behavior of male prisoners in Iran: A case study of Kermanshah and Kurdistan provinces

Introduction: Criminal behavior is one of the topics that has long been the focus of researchers and specialists in behavioral sciences. The present study aims to investigate the causes of criminal behavior in male prisoners of Kermanshah and Kurdistan provinces, Iran. Materials and Methods: The present research was a qualitative study with a content analysis type. The categories were obtained by interviewing 26 male prisoners and 10 experts and reviewing 50 articles. In addition to the interview, data and the clinical dossier of the prisoner were also considered to identify the factors contributing to criminal behavior. The sampling method in this research is purposive. Data analysis was done in 3 steps: open, central, and selective coding. The validity of the components was checked by calculating the content analysis index. Results: The main factors influencing criminal behavior include psychological, family, cultural-social, and spiritual components. Conclusion: The results indicate that various factors play a role in the occurrence of criminal behavior, and their identification in different cultures provides the possibility of developing an educational or therapeutic intervention.