Sample Of Delinquents Research Articles

The Effect of a Structured Group Therapy on Self-esteem and Anger in Delinquents

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of a structured group therapy on self-esteem and anger in delinquents. This study employed a two-group pre-post test study design. The data was collected from 21 subjects from April 22 to June 13, 2003 at N middle school in Seoul, Korea. 11 subjects were in the controlled group and 10 subjects were in the experimental group. Methods: The structured group therapy used in this study was developed based on real therapy, logotherapy, forgiveness and communication training. The subjects participated in a 60 minute therapy for 8 sessions. Instruments: The Self-Esteem Inventory, The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, SPSS Window. Results: The self-esteem was significantly increased and state anger was significantly decreased from pre to post in the experimental group. But, expression of anger, suppression of anger and control of anger were not significantly changed from pre to post in the experimental group. Conclusion: This structured group therapy was effective in improving the self-esteem and state anger in this sample of delinquents.

Harm avoidance and schizotypal traits in a sample of severe juvenile delinquents

Dental Caries Experience: A Two-Generation StudyBedos C, Brodeur JM, Arpin S, Nicolau B.J Dent Res 2005;84(10):931-63bThe objective of this study was to associate the mother’s dentate status with the children’s prevalence of caries.The study was supported by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux du Québec, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the Fonds de Recherche en Santé du Québec (FRSQ).Cross-Sectional Design

Affective disorder and 'psychopathy' in a sample of younger male delinquents.

The authors' goal was to determine the prevalence of affective disorder, a history of traumatic events and the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis in their relationship to 'psychopathy' in a sample of younger male delinquents admitted to a correctional institution. As part of routine mental health screening, the SCID-1 and Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) were administered to 102 inmates aged 17-27 years. Affective disorder was found in 28% and 29% had a history of suicidal attempts. The PCL-R-score was significantly correlated with the number of prior threatening events, but PTSD could not be diagnosed in the 'psychopathic' group. The prevalence of affective disorder was significantly higher in the 'non-psychopathic' group. The inverse relationship between threatening events and the PTSD diagnosis seems to indicate other coping modalities than those found in 'non-psychopaths'. That finding is discussed against the background of psychophysiological data and psychosocial learning models.

Social support and problem-solving as moderators of the relationship between childhood abuse and suicidality: applications to a delinquent population.

The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between childhood abuse, social support, and problem-solving appraisal within a juvenile delinquent sample. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to assess whether childhood abuse, social support, and problem-solving appraisal were independently predictive of suicidality, and further, whetherproblem-solving appraisal and social support moderated the childhood abuse-suicidality relationship. Childhood sexual abuse was found to be an independent predictor of suicidal ideation and behavior. In addition, both problem-solving confidence and social support moderated the relationship between childhood abuse and suicidal ideation. The results of this study underscore the importance of both problem-solving appraisal and social support to suicidality in adolescents with a history of abuse.

MMPI-A scores and high points of male juvenile delinquents: scales 4, 5, and 6 as markers of juvenile delinquency.

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent (MMPI-A) clinical, supplementary, and content scale score patterns for 655 male delinquents were examined. Low scores on Scale 5 (Masculinity/Femininity) were found to be the most frequent deviation, followed by elevations on Scales 6 (Paranoia) and 4 (Psychopathic Deviate). This is consistent with previous research, although the importance of Scale 5 deviations has been little noted because of the traditional focus on scale elevations only. Classification analysis indicated that a combination of MMPI-A scales discriminated between this delinquent sample and the normative sample, with a sensitivity of 90%-95% and a specificity of 80%-85%. This level of sensitivity was maintained in a replication sample (N = 473).

Gender, Crime, and Desistance: Toward a Theory of Cognitive Transformation

This article analyzes data derived from the first detailed long‐term follow‐up of a sample of serious adolescent female delinquents and similarly situated males. Neither marital attachment nor job stability, factors frequently associated with male desistance from crime, were strongly related to female or male desistance. A symbolic‐interactionist perspective on desistance is developed as a counterpoint to Sampson and Laub’s theory of informal social control, and life history narratives are used to illustrate the perspective. This cognitive theory is generally compatible with a control approach but (a) adds specificity regarding underlying change mechanisms, (b) explains some negative cases, and (c) fits well with life course challenges facing contemporary serious female (and more provisionally male) offenders.

Personality characteristics of juvenile offenders: differences in the CPI by age at first arrest and frequency of offending

This report examined the personality differences of offenders who were classified by their age at first arrest and frequency of lifetime arrests using a large sample of juvenile delinquents. The offenders were assessed with the California Personality Inventory (CPI) between 1964 and 1965 and followed-up in 1984 and 1985 to obtain a 20-year arrest history. The data reported here suggest that most personality differences within criminals center on measures of normative orientation and values and on measures of cognitive and intellectual functioning. These personality findings are discussed within the context of broader theories of crime and delinquency.

Juvenile homicide offenders: 10 years' experience of an adolescent forensic psychiatry service

Psychosocial characteristics were retrospectively studied in 46 juvenile perpetrators of homicide who had been referred to an adolescent forensic service in a 10-year period. Results of analysis were compared with a sample of 106 fire-setters referred to the same service. The profile of British homicidal juveniles is similar to that cited in the American literature in that the majority are male and come from disturbed family backgrounds. Compared with a delinquent sample of fire-setters, however, significantly more homicidal juveniles were male and had a history of frequent changes of schools, alcohol abuse and alcohol intoxication at the time of the offence. By contrast, when compared with delinquent juveniles, significantly fewer of the homicidal juveniles suffer from psychotic illness and are known to professional services prior to referral to the service. In a discriminant analysis a history of psychosis, being in care, alcohol intoxication at the material time and prior psychology contact were the most significant variables predicting group membership for homicidal and fire-setting delinquents. Abused homicidal youths do not differ markedly from those who do not suffer abuse but are characterized as coming from families with higher rates of paternal psychopathology. Prevention needs to focus on issues such as quality of parenting and alcohol abuse.

A Brief Survey of Khat Use Among Juvenile Delinquents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Khat is an addictive drug used by huge numbers of people in Ethiopia and surrounding nations. It has amphetamine-like qualities, a range of adverse side-effects, and is considered a controlled substance by the World Health Organisation. Despite this, the drug is freely available in Ethiopia and is the fifth ranked export commodity in that country. Prevalence of khat use in the population has never been measured nationally. Provincial studies suggest a prevalence rate among males of between 50% and 75%, with some authors suggesting higher rates based on those of neighbouring countries. The present study surveyed the khat usage patterns among a sample of juvenile delinquents (n = 25) drawn from the national Remand Home in Addis Ababa. As the only such institution in the country, it provides a sample of respondents from all over Ethiopia. A relatively low prevalence of khat chewing was found (44%), suggesting that khat may not be as associated with crime as previously thought. Low levels of other socially unacceptable habits were also discovered. As expected, the sample yielded high levels of social deprivation, with low parental education and widespread family separation. The study highlights some of the complexities of khat use, and raises some specific questions. It should provide the basis for more elaborate longitudinal studies in the future.

Juvenile homicide offenders: 10 years' experience of an adolescent forensic psychiatry service

Psychosocial characteristics were retrospectively studied in 46 juvenile perpetrators of homicide who had been referred to an adolescent forensic service in a 10-year period. Results of analysis were compared with a sample of 106 fire-setters referred to the same service. The profile of British homicidal juveniles is similar to that cited in the American literature in that the majority are male and come from disturbed family backgrounds. Compared with a delinquent sample of fire-setters, however, significantly more homicidal juveniles were male and had a history of frequent changes of schools, alcohol abuse and alcohol intoxication at the time of the offence. By contrast, when compared with delinquent juveniles, significantly fewer of the homicidal juveniles suffer from psychotic illness and are known to professional services prior to referral to the service. In a discriminant analysis a history of psychosis, being in care, alcohol intoxication at the material time and prior psychology contact were the most significant variables predicting group membership for homicidal and fire-setting delinquents. Abused homicidal youths do not differ markedly from those who do not suffer abuse but are characterized as coming from families with higher rates of paternal psychopathology. Prevention needs to focus on issues such as quality of parenting and alcohol abuse.

The Effects of Maltreatment and Family Structure on Minor and Serious Delinquency

This study explores the influence of maltreatment on serious violent and property delinquency as well as on minor misbehavior offenses among a sample of White male delinquents. A recent influential study concluded that this relationship has been exaggerated and found it to be nonexistent for serious offending after the effects of family structure were factored in. This article points out some of the deficiencies in that research and demonstrates that when both delinquency and maltreatment are measured comprehensively, the relationship is robust controlling for type of family structure, verbal IQ, family size, and birth order. Although it was found that the variables impact differentially according to the type of delinquency being examined, in every case, maltreatment was found to account for significant independent variance. It was also found that delinquents from homes broken by desertion were the most maltreated and the most delinquent.

Family functioning, parental rearing and behavioural problems in delinquents

There is research evidence to suggest the presence of dysfunctional families and rearing practices in the background of behavioural problems among adolescents. This study aimed to validate the Self-Report Family Inventory (SFI) in a Russian sample (n = 219) of juvenile delinquents and to compare the influence of family functioning and of parental rearing factors on their behavioural/psychological problems. The results reveal a somewhat different factor structure of the SFI, as compared to the original. In general, both groups of family variables had higher levels of correlations with behaviour problems in the violent subgroup of delinquents. Furthermore, family functioning appeared as a more powerful predictor of behavioural problems compared to parental rearing factors in this sample of delinquents. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Aggression and psychological problems in juvenile male delinquents versus controls in russia: Alternative ways of “letting off steam”?

The purpose of this study is to investigate possible relationships between various subtraits of aggression and psychological symptoms in a sample of male delinquents. One hundred eighty-nine subjects from a juvenile correction center for delinquent adolescents and 117 control subjects from secondary schools in Arkhangelsk, Russia, were assessed by means of the Aggression Questionnaire and the Youth Self-Report. Significant correlations between hostility, anger, and some psychological problems (e.g., Withdrawn, Anxious/Depressed, Thought Problems) were found in both groups. At the same time, physical and verbal aggression was almost exclusively related to aggressive and delinquent behavior. The findings lend support to our proposed interactional model in which excitation, as a result of the interplay between cognitions and emotions, could be expressed either as socially accepted behavior, aggressive behavior, or psychological and somatic symptoms.

An Evaluation of the Leeds Dependence Questionnaire

ABSTRACT Two studies are reported investigating the utility of the Leeds Dependence Questionnaire. In Study 1, 203 students enrolled in drug and alcohol courses at a tertiary institution were administered the LDQ along with the AUDIT, other screening measures of risk of alcohol related problems and a test of psychopathology. The outcome from this investigation showed the LDQ to have good internal consistency and reliability, to predict alcohol use even after controlling for other variables, and to be best described by a two factor solution, although a single common factor could be identified. Study 2 investigated the LDQ with a sample of juvenile delinquents. This study also found good internal consistency, and stronger support for a single factorial solution. The LDQ was able to predict increased frequency of a variety of substances abused by the delinquents. It was concluded that the scale was a good, brief evaluation tool.

Preliminary Validation of the MMPI--A for a Male Delinquent Sample: An Investigation of Clinical Correlates and Discriminant Validity

Adolescent psychopathology, until recently, has been a largely neglected area of research and poses unique challenges for psychological assessments. In response to the specific need for adolescent-focused measures, the MMPI-A (Butcher et al., 1992) was among several measures to be developed. Although a sizeable literature exists on the original MMPI (Hathaway & McKinley, 1943) and adolescent populations, relatively few empirical studies have been published on the MMPI-A. The primary purpose of this study was the examination of clinical correlates for the MMPI-A for a male delinquent sample. MMPI-A protocols were collected from 99 adolescents at a North Texas juvenile correctional facility, and systematic comparisons were conducted between the Basic Scales and symptoms/diagnoses derived from the Schedule of Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age. Children (K-SADS-III-R; Ambrosini, Metz, Prabucki, & Lee, 1989). Using only K-SADS-III-R symptoms with high reliabilities (rs > .80), a comprehensive list of correlates was generated for the Clinical, Supplementary, and Content Scales. Additionally, stepwise discriminant functions successfully classified MMPI-A protocols according to K-SADS-III-R diagnoses. As an exploratory analysis, ethnic differences on MMPI-A profiles were also investigated, revealing significant differences among groups.

Bright, bad, babyfaced boys: appearance stereotypes do not always yield self-fulfilling prophecy effects.

Three studies tested the hypothesis that babyfaced adolescent boys would compensate for the undesirable expectation that they will exhibit childlike traits by behaving contrary to it. Studies 1 and 2 revealed that babyfaced boys from middle- and lower class samples, including a sample of delinquents, showed higher academic achievement than their mature-faced peers, refuting the stereotype of babyfaced people as intellectually weak. In the lower class samples, this compensation effect was moderated by IQ and socioeconomic status (SES), variables that influence the ability to overcome low expectations. Study 3 showed that babyfaceness also can produce negative compensatory behaviors. Low-SES babyfaced boys were more likely than their mature-faced peers to be delinquent, and babyfaced delinquents committed more crimes, refuting the stereotype of babyfaced people as warm, submissive, and physically weak.

Bright, bad, babyfaced boys: Appearance stereotypes do not always yield self-fulfilling prophecy effects.

Three studies tested the hypothesis that babyfaced adolescent boys would compensate for the undesirable expectation that they will exhibit childlike traits by behaving contrary to it. Studies 1 and 2 revealed that babyfaced boys from middle- and lower class samples, including a sample of delinquents, showed higher academic achievement than their mature-faced peers, refuting the stereotype of babyfaced people as intellectually weak. In the lower class samples, this compensation effect was moderated by IQ and socioeconomic status (SES), variables that influence the ability to overcome low expectations. Study 3 showed that babyfaceness also can produce negative compensatory behaviors. Low-SES babyfaced boys were more likely than their mature-faced peers to be delinquent, and babyfaced delinquents committed more crimes, refuting the stereotype of babyfaced people as warm, submissive, and physically weak.

The association of psychiatric disorders with suicide attempts in a juvenile delinquent sample

AbstractThe goal of this study was to examine the degree to which psychiatric disorders (current and lifetime) are associated with a history of suicide attempt in a sample of juvenile delinquents. Sixty adolescents in a secure detention facility participated in diagnostic interviews assessing most psychiatric disorders according to DSM‐III‐R criteria. Although this population appears to have numerous psychiatric problems, suicide attempts were primarily associated with the internalising problems of depression (major depression and dysthymia) and anxiety disorders. Suicide attempt rates were approximately twice as high for adolescents with these disorders compared with adolescents who had not experienced the disorder. Cannabis use disorders were associated with a trend (p = 0.051) for lower lifetime suicidal behaviour. Conduct and oppositional defiant disorders were associated with higher rates of suicide attempts in boys but lower rates of attempts in girls. The co‐occurrence of psychiatric disorders did not significantly increase the likelihood of suicide attempt, although the pattern of results was in the predicted direction. Understanding the determinants of suicidal behaviour in detained adolescents has important clinical and theoretical implications. Efforts are clearly needed to treat depression actively in this population. Copyright © 1997 Whurr Publishers Ltd.

The Transfer of Juveniles to Criminal Court: Does it Make a Difference?

Recidivism of 2,738 juvenile offenders who were transferred to criminal court in Florida in 1987 was compared with that of a matched sample of delinquents who were retained in the juvenile system. Recidivism was examined in terms of rates of reoffending, seriousness of reoffending, and time to failure, with appropriate adjustments made for time at risk. By every measure of recidivism employed, reoffending was greater among transfers than among the matched controls.

The role of life experiences in the continuation of the adult criminal career

AbstractThis study provides an outlook on the impact that both specific life experiences and age have on criminal activity of a sample of former juvenile delinquents aged between 18 and 31. The life experiences scrutinised are marriage and family, work, incarceration and the consumption of illicit drugs. Our study aims at determining which factors, independent of the pure ageing process, play a role in the continuation or termination of a former juvenile delinquent career. Subjects were drawn from a 1970s study of 428 male delinquents. In the early 1990s, 238 of them were met for a retrospective interview. Several results of the study deserve consideration. First, the marital life of the men affects their participation in crime. Cohabitation with a mate is positively associated with crime among very young adults (18 to 21 years old), whereas it acts as a force toward desistance after the age of 21. Also, our results indicate that lawful employment acts to deter the continuation of offending. Finally, the habit of using illicit drugs impedes the social adaptation of former juvenile delinquents. In fact, drug use during adulthood is the best predictor of a continuing adult criminal career. Copyright © 1996 Whurr Publishers Ltd.