NCJ Number
133814
Journal
Corrective and Social Psychiatry and Journal of Behavior Technology Methods and Therapy Volume: 37 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1991) Pages: 12-17
Date Published
1991
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The neuropsychologic basis for violent behavior of juvenile offenders is explained with particular focus on organic or functional impulsive aggressive disorders.
Abstract
Recent Federal data show that 39 percent of the 18,226 juveniles in long-term youth correctional facilities are incarcerated for violent offenses and that 60 percent of this group use drugs on a regular basis. Additional characteristics of this offender profile suggest that violent delinquency is the result of class, race, and familial factors. However, recent neuropsychological research indicates that neurological factors play a significant role in many of these cases. Within this perspective, substance abuse and violence are viewed as symptoms of clinical syndromes rather than as socioeconomic or familial dysfunction factors. These emotional disorders are grouped in an impulsive aggression class; the most difficult of which is the organic aggressive syndrome. The aggression is both unpredictable and difficult to treat because of its biochemical nature. The most significant functional disorder associated with impulsive aggression in children and youth is the post-traumatic stress disorder. It is often linked to physical trauma such as head injury and is increasingly seen as a primary source of substance abuse in adolescents. Effective and preventive treatment consists of early diagnosis of these impulsive aggression disorders at the school level through an improved school coding classification process. 18 notes and references