Learning disabilities and delinquency: a study of Israeli prison inmates.
Research consistently illustrates that several intellectual disabilities--namely, learning disabilities (LD), low intelligence, challenging behavior, and inadequate adaptive behavior, as well as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)--are considered risk factors for antisocial and criminal behavior. Although much attention has been paid to the relationship of LD, ADHD, and criminal behavior, three research topics have been overlooked: the frequency of LD with ADHD among inmates, the relationship between LD and/or ADHD and level of education among prisoners, and the connection between LD and/or ADHD and age of criminal onset. The present study examined the frequency of LD and ADHD in a sample of Israeli-born prisoners, in addition to the frequency of each category by itself, and it investigated the relationship of LD and/or ADHD, school dropout age, and onset of criminal activity.
Einat
Tomer
T
Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel. tomere@yvc.ac.il
Einat
Amela
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*