Psychoanalytic Perspective on the Diagnosis and Development of Juvenile Delinquents (From Personality Theory, Moral Developments and Criminal Behavior, P 119-144, 1983, William S Laufer and James M Day, ed. - See NCJ-91449)

• NCJ Number: 91455
• Author(s): R J Marshall
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 26 pages
• Sale Source: Lexington Books
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study explores efforts to define delinquency and then provides a developmental schema for 'modal delinquency,' a type of delinquency characterized by certain developmental experiences that organize the character structure and result in delinquent behavior.

Abstract

Diagnosis of antisocial children and juvenile delinquents is still in a fairly primitive state, especially with respect to the determination of etiology, treatment, and prognosis; however, factor-analytic studies, which can incorporate environmental, organismic, and behavioral variables in a theoretical framework from which testable hypotheses can be generated, best clarify the diagnostic picture. From a literature review and clinical experience, four types of delinquency can be identified: (1) gang delinquency, which ceases when the juvenile is removed from the influence of peer delinquency; (2) neurotic delinquency, which is a function of phallic and oedipal conflicts (responds well to psychotherapy and environmental change); (3) modal delinquency, which cuts across all the subtypes of conduct disorder identified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Disorders (3rd edition); and (4) psychotic delinquency, manifested by borderline to clear psychotic symptoms. The discussion focuses on modal delinquency by examining the developmental patterns of such delinquents. Critical developmental aspects are identified as defenses against painful effects, the mother and mother-child interaction, the separation-individuation process, superego lacunnae, projective identification, the emotional communication system, language and motor development, and the role of the father. It is advised that for the modal delinquent, treatment considerations should flow from the theory of development. The crucial task in therapy is to establish a symbiotic relationship with the client so as to accomplish a more mature resolution of the client's relationship with his/her mother. A total of 113 references are provided.