Detailed contribution information
| Contribution title | 3120 - Neurodevelopmental Perspective of Antisocial Behaviour, Conduct Disorder, Delinquency, and Violence in Juvenile Offenders |
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| Contribution code | PS01-60 (P) |
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| Form of presentation | Poster |
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| Abstract |
Introduction: Psychosocial factors are known to play a significant role in the aetiology and course of delinquent behavior, but also in the last decades many studies have tried to establish the neurodevelopmental and neurobiological correlates of delinquency. Objective: The aim of the study is to analyze juvenile offenders (JO) in the Juvenile Detention Center, their forensic, psychological and neurodevelopmental characteristics considering antisocial behavior, conduct disorder and violence. Method: We have interviewed all JO (24) in the Juvenile Detention Center in Ohrid, and performed a psychological, neuropsychological and neurophysiological assessment. A Structured Interview, Questionnaire for aggression, and a Scale for assessment of ADHD symptoms, neuropsychological testing and QEEG were performed. Results: All JO come from low level socio-economic families, and majority of them lived in single parent families, being exposed to all kinds of adverse childhood experiences – having members of the family convicted for crimes, death in the family, domestic violence. One third has dropped out from school in the first three years. Nearly all of them had a history of early onset conduct disorder, and a history of substance abuse. Their scores on Aggression Scale are higher than controls, and on Anger Scale significantly higher. In nearly half of the JO there are symptoms of ADHD, 20% show symptoms of attention deficit, and 32% of hyperactivity and impulsivity, deficit in inhibition and affect regulation. The neuropsychological tests showed impairment of the executive functions, impulsive response due to reduced motor inhibition. QEEG showed a widespread presence of slow wave brain activity, decrease of beta frontal activity and of alpha power. Conclusion: JO residing in the Juvenile Detention Center in Ohrid is a group of youngsters with severe psychopathology, neurobiological deficit in cognitive and executive functions, and with a high risk for recidivism, in need of support from families and society. |