title: Psychopathology, symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and risk factors in juvenile offenders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of potential environmental and psychopathological risk factors, with special focus on symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in a sample of adolescent offenders in relation to the type of crime committed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The assessment included data collection and administration of clinical standardized scales such as the Youth Self-Report and Conners' Adolescent Self-Report Scale. A total of 135 juvenile offenders participated in the study. In relation to the type of crime committed, we identified three groups matched for age and sex (crimes against people, property crimes, and alcohol-drug-related crimes).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-two percent of juvenile offenders reported educational achievement problems and 34% reported a family history of psychiatric disorders. We detected a statistically significant difference between the three groups with regard to ADHD (P=0.01) and conduct problems (P=0.034). Juvenile offenders who had committed crimes against people showed more ADHD symptoms (18%) and conduct problems (20%) than adolescents who had committed property crimes and alcohol-drug-related crimes. Sixty percent of the juvenile offenders who had committed property crimes and 54% of those who had committed alcohol-drug-related crimes showed problems in academic achievement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest the need to implement specific interventions for prevention and treatment of specific criminal behavior.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Unit, Neurosciences and Sense Organs of the Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Margari
authors.affiliation: Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs of the Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.affiliation: Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs of the Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Margari
authors.affiliation: Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs of the Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Matera
authors.affiliation: Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs of the Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Linda
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lamanna
authors.affiliation: Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs of the Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola Alessandra
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lecce
authors.affiliation: Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: La Tegola
authors.affiliation: Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carabellese
keywords: academic achievement problems; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; conduct problems; family problems; juvenile offenders; peer relationships