Neuropsychological characteristics of three subgroups of Flemish delinquent adolescents.
Sixty-three adjudicated adolescents, aged 14-17 years, were followed for 2 years to examine the neuropsychological characteristics of subgroups of delinquents. Nonrecidivistic subjects (n = 29) and late recidivistic subjects (n = 22) differed from early recidivistic subjects (n = 12) on intelligence, self-control functioning, and memory. Late recidivistic subjects, compared with not recidivistic subjects, showed a lower verbal IQ. The differences remained when controlling for the level of substance abuse. This study suggests that neuropsychological assessment may help in differentiating delinquent adolescents, although more research is needed to unravel the mediating influences of substance abuse and early neuropsychological and academic problems.
Vermeiren
Robert
R
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Middelheimhospital, University of Antwerp, Belgium. rvermeiren@europemail.com
De
Clippele Antoine
CA
Schwab-Stone
Mary
M
Ruchkin
Vladislav
V
Deboutte
Dirk
D
D000293:Adolescent; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000208:ethnology*; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology; D009042:Motivation; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology