NCJ Number
201115
Journal
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Volume: 42 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2003 Pages: 770-777
Date Published
July 2003
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study identified psychological profiles and mental health symptoms among male and female juvenile offenders.
Abstract
Although research has estimated the rates of psychological disturbance among delinquent youths to be higher than that found in the general population, relatively little is known about the psychological symptoms of incarcerated youths. The authors used a cluster analysis using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) to generate psychological profiles of 141 male and female juvenile offenders incarcerated by the California Youth Authority. These psychological profiles were then compared to the mental health symptoms of the incarcerated youths, which were measured using Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Version 2 (MAYSI-2). The cluster analysis identified four profiles; two for the males and two for the females. Among the males, one profile was Normative with no clinically elevated scores, while the other profile was Disorganized, with clinical elevations recorded for schizophrenia, paranoia, psychopathic deviate, and psychasthenia. Among the females, one profile was Impulsive-Antisocial, with clinical elevations recorded for psychopathic deviate. The other female profile was Irritable-Isolated, with clinical elevations recorded for psychopathic deviate, schizophrenia, paranoia, and psychasthenia. No significant differences were recorded for sex, ethnicity, or offense type. The authors concluded that female juvenile offenders have more mental health symptoms and psychological disturbances than male juvenile offenders. The study underscores the need for psychological assessment of juvenile offenders and sex-appropriate treatments. Tables, references