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The characteristics and intervention histories of incarcerated and conduct-disordered youth
J Shamsie1, H Hamilton, C Sykes
1Institute for the Study of Antisocial Behaviour in Youth, Etobicoke, Ontario.
Objectives:
1) To determine if incarcerated youth and conduct-disordered youth in treatment display similar risk factors associated with chronicity of antisocial behaviour; 2) to determine if incarcerated youth had experienced high numbers of interventions by many different agencies as has been reported for conduct-disordered youth in treatment.
Method:
The files of 25 conduct-disordered youth in treatment and 25 incarcerated youth were examined to extract all relevant data.
Results:
Incarcerated youth were similar to conduct-disordered youth with regard to the number of symptoms of disruptive behaviour disorders, age of onset of behavioural problems, and family backgrounds. Both groups had high numbers of interventions and agencies in their histories. Interventions began earlier for the conduct-disordered youth.
Conclusion:
The distinction between conduct-disordered youth who are treated and youth who are incarcerated may be arbitrary and accidental. Given the similarity in the clinical characteristics, incarcerated youth should be offered help that is similar to that offered to conduct-disordered youth. Such help may lower the rate of recidivism.