TREATMENT OF ADOPTED VERSUS NEGLECTED DELINQUENT CHILDREN IN THE COURT - A PROBLEM OF RECIPROCAL ATTACHMENT?

• NCJ Number: 19354
• Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry Volume: 132 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1975) Pages: 142-145
• Author(s): D O LEWIS; D BALLA; M LEWIS; R GORE
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 4 pages
• Grant Number(s): A70-9001-108
• Sponsoring Agency: Connecticut Criminal Justice Cmssn
• Corporate Author: American Psychiatric Assoc
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

STUDY DESIGNED TO INVESTIGATE THE APPARENTLY DISCREPANT HANDLING BY THE JUVENILE COURT OF THESE TWO GROUPS OF DELINQUENT CHILDREN AND TO EXPLORE SEVERAL POSSIBLE HYPOTHESIZED REASONS FOR THIS DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT.

Abstract

THE SUBJECTS OF THIS STUDY WERE THE SEVEN ADOPTED AND 26 NEGLECTED CHILDREN REFERRED TO A PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC AT THE JUVENILE COURT OF THE SECOND DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT DURING A TWO-YEAR PERIOD. IT WAS HYPOTHESIZED THAT ADOPTED DELINQUENTS RECEIVED HARSHER DISPOSITIONS IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT NEGLECTED DELINQUENTS OFTEN FACED MORE SERIOUS CHARGES. THE TWO GROUPS WERE COMPARED IN TERMS OF FAMILY STRUCTURE AND THE CRIMINAL AND PSYCHIATRIC HISTORIES OF THEIR PARENTS. THE AUTHORS CONCLUDE THAT NONE OF THESE SEEMS TO ACCOUNT FOR THE ADOPTEES' HARSHER TREATMENT AND SUGGEST THAT AN INTERPLAY OF LATE ADOPTION, INTRINSIC VULNERABILITIES IN THE CHILDREN, AND WEAKNESS OF PARENTAL BONDS ACCOUNTS FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL OUTCOMES. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED.