2 research outputs found
Mental Health in Young Detainees Predicts Perpetration of and Desistance From Serious, Violent and Chronic Offending
Mental health problems are common among young offenders but their role in predicting
criminal recidivism is still not clear. Early identification and treatment of young offenders
at risk of serious, violent, and chronic (SVC) offending is of major importance to increase
their chances to develop into a healthy and non-criminal future and protect society
from further crime. In the present study, we assessed mental health among 106 young
offenders while incarcerated and analyzed their criminal careers up to 15 years after
release. We found high rates of mental health issues, especially externalizing problems,
but also concerning illegal substance and alcohol use patterns as well as personality
disorders. Rule-breaking behavior and internalizing problems were negatively related to
incarceration time until study assessment, but withdrawal and internalizing problems
were positively associated with remaining time to release. Whereas, SVC status before
assessment and after release were not statistically dependent, mental health issues
predicted perpetration of and desistance from SVC offending after release. Alarming
alcohol use appeared to be of specific importance in this regard. Findings indicate
that young offenders at risk of future SVC offending may benefit from mental health
treatment with specific focus on problematic alcohol consumption to prevent ongoing
crime perpetration
ADHD symptom profiles, intermittent explosive disorder, adverse childhood experiences, and internalizing/externalizing problems in young offenders
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and co-existing psychiatric/psychological impairments as well as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are common among young offenders. Research on their associations is of major importance for early intervention and crime prevention. Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) warrants specific consideration in this regard. To gain sophisticated insights into the occurrence and associations of ADHD, IED, ACEs, and further psychiatric/psychological impairments in young (male and female) offenders, we used latent profile analysis (LPA) to empirically derive subtypes among 156 young offenders who were at an early stage of crime development based on their self-reported ADHD symptoms, and combined those with the presence of IED. We found four distinct ADHD subtypes that differed rather quantitatively than qualitatively (very low, low, moderate, and severe symptomatology). Additional IED, ACEs, and further internalizing and externalizing problems were found most frequently in the severe ADHD subtype. Furthermore, females were over-represented in the severe ADHD subtype. Finally, ACEs predicted high ADHD symptomatology with co-existing IED, but not without IED. Because ACEs were positively associated with the occurrence of ADHD/IED and ADHD is one important risk factor for on-going criminal behaviors, our findings highlight the need for early identification of ACEs and ADHD/IED in young offenders to identify those adolescents who are at increased risk for long-lasting criminal careers. Furthermore, they contribute to the debate about how to best conceptualize ADHD regarding further emotional and behavioral disturbances