PRECURSOR OF DELINQUENCY - THE HYPERKINETIC DISORDER OF CHILDHOOD

• NCJ Number: 56955
• Journal: Psychiatric Quarterly Volume: 48 Issue: 3 Dated: (1974) Pages: 387-399
• Author(s): A BARCAI; L Y RABKIN
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 13 pages
• Corporate Author: New York State
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

EVIDENCE (INCLUDING A DETAILED CASE HISTORY) LINKING THE HYPERKINETIC SYNDROME OF CHILDHOOD WITH DELINQUENCY IN ADOLESCENCE IS EXAMINED.

Abstract

HYPERKINETIC CHILDREN ARE OVER-ACTIVE, RESTLESS, AND EASILY DISTRACTED. THEIR DISORDER, WHICH GENERALLY DIMINISHES IN ADOLESCENCE, PREVENTS THEM FROM MATCHING THEIR PEERS' SOCIAL AND SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENTS. THERE ARE SEVERAL POINTS OF OVERLAP BETWEEN THE LIFE HISTORIES OF HYPERKINETIC CHILDREN AND THOSE OF DELINQUENTS. AMONG CONCEPTS COMMONLY ENCOUNTERED IN THEORETICAL DISCUSSIONS OF THE ETIOLOGY OF DELINQUENCY ARE SEVERAL THAT SUGGEST A LINK TO THE HYPERKINETIC SYNDROME: THE EXISTENCE OF AN 'INNATE' PERSONALITY FACTOR IN DELINQUENTS; DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR AS AN ATTEMPT TO COMPENSATE FOR REPEATED REJECTION, THE DELINQUENT'S FAILURE TO USE POTENTIAL ABILITIES; CONFUSION STEMMING FROM INCONSISTENT PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS; AND PARENTS' DERIVATION OF VICARIOUS, UNCONSCIOUS SATISFACTION FROM THE DELINQUENT CHILD'S BEHAVIOR. A CASE STUDY OF A YOUNG FEMALE DELINQUENT WHO UNDERWENT A DRAMATIC PSYCHOLOGICAL SHIFT AT AGE 16 ILLUSTRATES HOW THE HYPERKINETIC SYNDROME OVERLAPS WITH DELINQUENCY. THE SUBJECT RESPONDED TO DRUG THERAPY AS WOULD BE EXPECTED OF A HYPERKINETIC CHILD, NOT A NEUROTIC OR PSYCHOPATHIC PERSON. THE LIFE OF A HYPERKINETIC CHILD BEGINS WITH A SET OF DEFICIENT CONSTITUTIONAL AND TEMPERAMENTAL PATTERNS THAT LEAD TO REJECTION. THE CHILD'S UNPREDICTABILITY THWARTS PARENTAL LIMIT-SETTING, AND A CRIPPLING CYCLE OF FRUSTRATION-AGGRESSIONRETALIATION BEGINS. UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THE CHILD'S CHOICE OF A DELINQUENT STYLE IS A FUNCTIONAL ONE. IF THE HYPERKINETIC SYNDROME IS IDENTIFIED EARLY AND ITS SYMPTOMS CONTROLLED BY THE USE OF DRUGS, THE CYCLE THAT MAY LEAD TO A LIFE OF DEVIANCY CAN BE BROKEN. HOWEVER, DRUGS ALONE ARE NOT THE WHOLE ANSWER. HYPERKINETIC CHILDREN REQUIRE REMEDIAL EDUCATION AND THEIR FAMILIES NEED COUNSELING. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (LKM)