A cluster-analytic investigation of MMPI profiles of serious male and female juvenile offenders.
OBJECTIVE
To use cluster analysis to identify psychological profiles and related mental health symptoms among male and female juvenile offenders.


METHODS
Juvenile offenders (N = 141) incarcerated in the California Youth Authority completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Version 2 (MAYSI-2).


RESULTS
MMPI cluster analysis revealed four distinct profiles: two for male and two for female juvenile offenders. Among males, we identified one Normative cluster with no clinically elevated scores. A second male cluster, labeled Disorganized, exhibited clinical elevations on scales 8 (Schizophrenia), 6 (Paranoia), 4 (Psychopathic Deviate), and 7 (Psychasthenia). Among females, two clinically elevated profiles emerged. One Impulsive-Antisocial cluster consisted of clinical elevations on scale 4 (Psychopathic Deviate), which has been consistently associated with delinquent and antisocial behavior. The second cluster, labeled Irritable-Isolated, produced elevations on MMPI scales 4 (Psychopathic Deviate), 8 (Schizophrenia), 6 (Paranoia), and 7 (Psychasthenia). There were no significant sex, ethnicity, or offense differences across clusters, but the clusters exhibit distinct psychiatric profiles (MMPI) and mental health symptoms (MAYSI-2).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that not only do female offenders have more acute mental health symptoms and psychological disturbances than male offenders, they exhibit qualitatively distinct psychiatric profiles. Results reinforce the need for assessment of mental health symptoms for male and female juvenile offenders as well as sex-appropriate treatments.
Espelage
Dorothy L
DL
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61820-6990, USA. espelage@uiuc.edu
Cauffman
Elizabeth
E
Broidy
Lisa
L
Piquero
Alex R
AR
Mazerolle
Paul
P
Steiner
Hans
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology*; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D010259:Paranoid Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution