Revenge is sweet: identifying the social and psychological drivers of the human desire for revenge after criminal victimisation

Abstract

Revenge desire can serve as a coping strategy for crime victims, helping to restore their self-image (Gabriel & Monaco, 1994; Orth, 2003). However, long-term revenge desire is linked to reduced quality of life (Stuckless, 1997). Understanding its predictors could improve support for victims (Stuckless, 1998; Barcaccia et al., 2022). Research shows that most people who desire revenge do not act on it, so revenge feelings should not be stigmatized (Crombag et al., 2003; Gollwitzer, 2009). However, revenge still fuels violence; 61% of US school shootings are revenge-motivated (Jackson et al., 2019). Identifying the predictors of revenge can help prevent such violence, particularly in crime victims, whose risk of violent offending rises after victimization (Field, 2012). This thesis began with a scoping review of psychosocial and contextual predictors of revenge desire in crime victims. It suggested expanding restorative justice, which helps reduce revenge desire, and highlighted a lack of research on the relationship between revenge and mental health in crime victims. Study 2 addressed this gap using a survey (N = 145) to examine the relationship between revenge and wellbeing factors including anxiety, depression, emotion regulation, and sleep quality. Results indicated that depression predicted stronger revenge desire. Revenge desire was also correlated with poor mental health in crime victims. The next study explored whether revenge desire stems from a threat to self-image. Participants were betrayed in a game and self-conscious emotions including shame, pride, and humiliation were induced (N = 108). Participants took revenge via noise blasts. Resulted pointed to the role of the self-conscious emotions in revenge. Finally, Study 4 examined procedural justice-related predictors, including victims having a voice, disrespectful treatment by police and damaged trust in the legal system. Results suggested that victim-friendly reforms could reduce long-term revenge desire in victims (N = 236).

Thesis is embargoed until 31 December 2030.

Date of Award	Dec 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Sponsors	Northern Ireland Department for the Economy
Supervisor	Cherie Armour (Supervisor), Donncha Hanna (Supervisor) & Emily McGlinchey (Supervisor)