NCJ Number
138277
Journal
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry Volume: 22 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1991) Pages: 261-264
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The role of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in juvenile delinquency was examined in 42 incarcerated male delinquents; 30 of these youths met the criterion for conduct disorder (CD) only and 12 met the criterion for CD and ADHD.
Abstract
Youth in the CD plus ADHD group had more arrests and the first arrest occurred at an earlier age than those in the CD only group. The two groups did not differ on total number or charges or index crimes charged against them. The CD plus ADHD group had a lower verbal IQ and a lower reading grade level than the CD only group. Findings support two of three primary study hypotheses: youths with CD plus ADHD are first arrested at an earlier age and more often than youths with CD only; and the combination group is not more likely to be charged with more crimes or more serious (index) crimes than the group with only a CD diagnosis. Study results suggest that when CD and ADHD are both present, the behavior therapist may expect behavioral problems that can escalate into encounters with the legal system and support the need for intensive prevention or early intervention efforts. 1 table and 9 references