ENURESIS, FIRE SETTING, AND ANIMAL CRUELTY - A USEFUL DANGER SIGNAL IN PREDICTING VULNERABILITY OF ADOLESCENT MALES TO ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR

• NCJ Number: 15410
• Journal: Child Psychiatry and Human Development Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: (SPRING 1974) Pages: 151-156
• Author(s): D E WAX; V G HADDOX
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: Behavioral Publications
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS STUDY OF INSTITUTIONALIZED ASSAULTIVE ADOLESCENT MALES SELECTED FOR PSYCHIATRIC REFERRAL SHOWED A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PRESENCE OF THIS TRIAD OF BEHAVIORS IN CHILDHOOD AND FUTURE VIOLENT BEHAVIOR.

Abstract

OF A TOTAL OF 46 CASES REFERRED FOR PSYCHIATRIC REFERRAL IN A 12-MONTH PERIOD, SIX ADOLESCENTS (AGES 13 TO 20) HAD A DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF THIS TRIAD OF BEHAVIORS FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD TO AT LEAST THE ONSET OF PUBERTY. (LACK OF DOCUMENTATION OR DENIAL OF THESE BEHAVIORS CAUSED AT LEAST FOUR OTHER SUBJECTS TO BE EXCLUDED FROM THE STUDY.) OF THESE THREE SYMPTOMS, ENURESIS (BEDWETTING) WAS THE MOST PERSISTENT. A NUMBER OF OTHER INDICATIVE FACTORS INCLUDING THE TRIAD, WERE PRESENT IN EACH OF THE SIX CASES - ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR, SEXUAL DEVIATION, FAMILY DISORGANIZATION AND DEPRIVATION, AFFECTIVE DISORDERS, SIGNIFICANT DRUG USAGE, AND BORDERLINE PSYCHOSIS. ALL THE YOUTHS DEMONSTRATED ARRESTED (INFANTILE) PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT. THE AUTHORS SUGGEST THAT EVIDENCE OF ALL THREE SYMPTOMS OF THE TRIAD IN CHILDHOOD REQUIRES IMMEDIATE CONSULTATION AND THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION.