Maltreatment and depression in adolescent sexual offenders with an autism spectrum disorder.
This study examined the self-reported presence and severity of abuse, neglect, and depressive symptoms for 43 adolescents adjudicated delinquent due to a sexual offense. Twenty-seven of the adolescent sexual offenders were also diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, and 16 did not carry an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Both groups reported moderate to high levels of abuse and neglect. Adolescent sexual offenders with an autism spectrum disorder reported significantly higher depressive symptoms than those without an autism spectrum disorder. Furthermore, of the group with an autism spectrum disorder, those reporting severe levels of emotional abuse and/or emotional neglect were more likely to also have depressive symptoms. Results suggest a need to tailor treatment programs to match the unique needs of sexual offenders.
Duquesne University, Pittsburgh , PA 15258, USA. bleilj@hotmail.com
Jessica
J
Bleil Walters
Tammy L
TL
Hughes
Lawrence R
LR
Sutton
Stephanie N
SN
Marshall
Laura M
LM
Crothers
Cathryn
C
Lehman
Dave
D
Paserba
Vanessa
V
Talkington
Rochelle
R
Taormina
Ann
A
Huang
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult