Relationship of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Conduct Disorder to Juvenile Delinquency: Legal Implications

• NCJ Number: 164471
• Journal: Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Dated: (1996) Pages: 333-345
• Author(s): H A Foley; C O Carlton; R J Howell
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder (CD) are both disorders of childhood and adolescence that frequently extend into adulthood, and research on the overlap between the two disorders and juvenile delinquency is reported.

Abstract

The research shows that both ADHD and CD are significant risk factors for the development of antisocial behavior. High levels of defiant and/or aggressive behavior lead to antisocial acts. Boys diagnosed with ADHD have higher felony rates than normal control boys, yet ADHD is not nearly as strong a predictor of offending behavior as CD. The presence of ADHD and CD contributes to illegal behavior, and it is likely that early intervention in both disorders will reduce the prevalence of antisocial behavior. With 55 percent of all crimes being committed by juveniles, legal implications of ADHD and CD also become more apparent. Criteria for distinguishing between ADHD and CD and differential diagnosis techniques are explored, and predisposing factors for ADHD, CD, and juvenile delinquency are considered. Appendixes contain additional information on diagnostic criteria for ADHD and CD. 44 references