[Epidemiological study on the homicidal behaviour in teenagers]

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychology
• Adolescent Psychiatry
• Criminology

Background:

• Adolescent offending, particularly violent crime, presents significant public health and legal challenges.
• Understanding the epidemiological factors and personality traits associated with juvenile homicide is crucial for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the epidemiology of risk factors and personality traits in adolescents charged with homicide.
• To analyze psychic functioning, socio-demographic variables, and family dynamics in this population.
• To test the hypothesis linking violent behavior to prior victimization and adverse family environments.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal, retrospective, inferential study design.
• Analysis of psychiatric assessments from adolescents interviewed in Family Courts.
• Statistical methods included ANOVA 2 and the sign test (p<0.05).

Main Results:

• Adolescents charged with homicide displayed low self-criticism.
• A significant proportion exhibited behavioral disorders in childhood.
• The study identified correlations between personality traits, psychic functioning, and socio-demographic variables.

Conclusions:

• Adolescent homicide is associated with specific psychological profiles, including low self-criticism and a history of behavioral issues.
• Victimization within inadequate family environments is a key hypothesized factor contributing to violent behavior.
• Findings underscore the need for early intervention addressing family dynamics and childhood trauma in at-risk adolescents.