Predicting recidivism in delinquent adolescents from psychological and psychiatric assessment

An important but sparse body of research focuses on psychiatric disorders and/or psychological characteristics as predictors of recidivism in delinquent adolescents. Through detailed psychiatric and psychological assessment in 64 adjudicated male juvenile delinquents, the current study investigated the long-term relationships between psychopathology, intellectual functioning, and recidivism. Psychiatric diagnosis was based on the results of a semistructured interview conducted both with delinquents and their parents. After 2 years, information on recidivism was retrieved from the official records for the 64 subjects who underwent an initial assessment and the 36 who did not but who were adjudicated during the same period. The statistical model of future offending was able to explain 44.0% of the variance through the combination of (1) diagnosis of conduct disorder, (2) absence of major depression, and (3) low verbal IQ as scored on a standard intelligence test. It is concluded that specific aspects of psychiatric and psychological assessment can help to predict recidivist offending in delinquent adolescents. Future research should focus on the possibilities of implementing these findings in the development of prevention and rehabilitation programs.