MENTAL ILLNESS AND CRIME IN ADOPTED CHILDREN AND ADOPTIVE PARENTS

• NCJ Number: 56647
• Journal: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Volume: 44 Issue: 4 Dated: (1968) Pages: 376-384
• Author(s): O BRATFOS; L EITINGER; T TAU
• Date Published: 1968
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: Munksgaard
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Denmark

Annotation

A NORWEGIAN STUDY OF THE INCIDENCE OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR AMONG ADULTS WHO HAVE GROWN UP IN ADOPTIVE HOMES IS REPORTED.

Abstract

THE NAMES OF 250 PERSONS BORN BETWEEN 1928 AND 1939 AND THEIR ADOPTIVE PARENTS WERE OBTAINED FROM ADOPTION RECORDS. THIS LIST OF NAMES WAS THEN CHECKED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING: OFFICIAL REGISTERS OF OLIGOPHRENICS (MENTAL DEFICIENTS), PSYCHOTICS, AND ALCOHOLICS; THE RECORDS OF MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS; AND POLICE FILES. THE INCIDENCE OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN PERSONS WHO HAVE GROWN UP IN ADOPTIVE HOMES DOES NOT DEVIATE SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THAT IN THE GENERAL POPULATION, NOR IS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR MORE PREVALENT AMONG ADOPTEES. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO CORRELATION BETWEEN MENTAL DISORDERS IN ADOPTED CHILDREN AND DISORDERS IN THEIR ADOPTIVE PARENTS. THE RELIABILITY OF THE FINDINGS MAY BE LIMITED BY THE SMALL SIZE OF THE SAMPLE. SUPPORTING DATA AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)