Sex-specific predictors of criminal recidivism in a representative sample of incarcerated youth.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to identify sex-specific psychopathologic predictors of criminal recidivism among a representative sample of incarcerated youths.


METHODS
In this prospective longitudinal study, the Mini-International Psychiatric Interview for children and adolescents was used to assess psychopathology in juveniles entering an Austrian pretrial detention facility between March 2003 and January 2005. From the beginning of the study until January 2006, data on criminal history were obtained from the Integrierte Vollzugsverwaltung, a database containing criminal information of every individual incarcerated in Austria. Of the 370 eligible participants, the final study sample comprised 328 juveniles (56 girls and 272 boys, age range = 14-21 years, mean = 16.7).


RESULTS
Reincarceration rates within the specified follow-up period were 52.6% for the boys and 37.5% for the girls. Using Cox forward stepwise regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses, age at first incarceration (B = -.296, Wald statistic = 17.11, P < .001) and oppositional defiant disorder (B = .751, Wald statistic = 19.25, P < .001) were identified as significant predictors for reoffending in boys. In girls, generalized anxiety disorder (B = 1.97, Wald statistic = 13.71, P < .001) was found to be a predictor for reoffending, whereas dysthymia (B = -1.44, Wald statistic = 4.02, P = .045) was found to serve as protective factor.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study confirms high rates of reoffending after release from correctional facilities in both sexes. It further defines sex-specific psychopathologic risk factors for relapse in incarcerated juveniles. According to our results, in boys, oppositional defiant disorder and early age at first incarceration are predictive of reincarceration. In girls, anxiety disorder was found to be a risk factor for future offending, whereas dysthymia was found to have a protective influence. Consequently, rehabilitation programs should be sex specific.
Plattner
Belinda
B
Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie des Kindes und Jugendalters, Medizinische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria.
Steiner
Hans
H
The
Steve S L
SS
Kraemer
Helena C
HC
Bauer
Susanne M
SM
Kindler
Jochen
J
Friedrich
Max H
MH
Kasper
Siegfried
S
Feucht
Martha
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001317:Austria; D015897:Comorbidity; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult