NCJ Number
137834
Journal
Adolescence Volume: 27 Issue: 106 Dated: (Summer 1992) Pages: 309-314
Date Published
1992
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The present study assessed whether juvenile offenders have behavioral problems beyond aggression and other crime-related behaviors.
Abstract
Subjects were 24 incarcerated juvenile offenders (12 females and 12 males) and 24 nonoffenders (12 females and 12 males). Offenders were incarcerated in State facilities for assault, robbery, homicide, theft, rape, and breaking and entering. Of the total sample, 36 adolescents were white and 12 were black, and most were from a rural population. Offenders and nonoffenders were matched on age, race, gender, and mother's educational level. The Revised Behavior Problem Checklist (RBPC), consisting of 89 items, was used to rate offenders according to 0 (no problem), 1 (mild problem), or 2 (severe problem). Factor analysis resulted in six subscales related to conduct disorder, socialized aggression, attention problems-immaturity, anxiety- withdrawal, psychotic behavior, and motor excess. As expected, offenders scored higher on RBPC subscales that represented externalizing problems. Offenders also scored significantly higher on subscales that reflected internalizing problems and psychotic behavior. The results suggest that higher rates of externalizing and nonexternalizing behavior problems, e.g., psychotic behavior and anxiety, are present in incarcerated juvenile offenders when compared to a matched control group of nonoffenders. This finding is important because it points out the need to assess incarcerated youth for difficulties other than externalizing problems and, if necessary, provide treatment for such difficulties. 10 references and 2 tables (Author abstract modified)