Is Tattooing a Risk Factor for Adolescents' Criminal Behavior? Empirical Evidence from an Administrative Data Set of Juvenile Detainees in Taiwan

Juvenile crime affects not only the victims of the crime but also the delinquents' future. How to prevent adolescent criminal behavior has become an important public policy issue. This study contributes to this interesting issue by examining the relationship between tattooing and adolescents' criminal behavior. In particular, this study investigates whether or not having a tattoo/tattoos is connected to the incidence of various criminal activities, including: larceny, robbery, fraud, assault, drug use, and homicide. 

A unique sample of 973 juvenile detainees drawn from the administrative profiles in Taiwan and the coarsened exact matching method were utilized. Results show that compared to their nontattooed counterparts, tattooed juvenile detainees were significantly more likely to commit fraud, assault, drug abuse, and homicide by 3%, 13%, 9%, and 9%, respectively. In contrast, tattooing was not significantly associated with larceny or robbery. 

From a policy perspective, given the significant link between tattooing and criminal behavior, the presence of a tattoo in adolescents may serve as a valuable indicator regarding adolescents' high probability of committing crimes.

Via:  http://ht.ly/SP0Yh Purchase full article at: http://goo.gl/v2jCTo

By: Liao PA1, Chang HH, Su YJ.

• 1Department of Economics, Shih Hsin University, Taipei, 11645, Taiwan.

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Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders among Teenage Offenders

There has been a significant number of adolescents admitted to National Youth Service of Chile (SENAME) detention centers in recent years, specifically since the promulgation of a law reform on juveniles' penal responsibility for people aged 14 to 18 years (2006).

To determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in adolescent male offenders aged between 14 and 17 years.

The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Kids and Adolescents (MINI-KID) was applied to 489 adolescents admitted to detention centers, to determine the presence of psychiatric disorders. (Hypo) maniac episodes, eating disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, tic disorders, and psychotic disorders were excluded. Furthermore, for purposes of analysis, 23 cases that used a substance of abuse or had signs of consumption the day of the interview were excluded.

Eighty six percent of respondents had at least one psychiatric disorder. 

• The most common were substance use disorders (76%). 
• Among these, marijuana dependence disorder had the higher frequency (51%). 
• Disruptive behavior disorders had also a high prevalence (38%), 
• followed by anxiety disorders (27%), 
• attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (26%), 
• and affective disorders (21%).

There is a high prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among teenage offenders which could undermine rehabilitation.

Via:  http://ht.ly/SsoRe 

See also: Prevalencia de trastornos psiquiátricos en adolescentes infractores de ley en Chile at:  http://ht.ly/SsoQ3 

By: Gaete J, Labbé N, Del Villar P, Allende C, Valenzuela E.

Child Maltreatment among Boy & Girl Probationers: Does Type of Maltreatment Make a Difference in Offending Behavior & Psychosocial Problems?

This study examined differences in offending behavior and psychosocial problems between juvenile offenders who have been sexually abused (n=231), physically abused (n=1,568), neglected (n=1,555), exposed to multiple forms of maltreatment (n=1,767), and non-victims (n=8,492). In addition, the moderating effect of gender in the association between type of maltreatment and offending behavior/psychosocial problems was examined. 

Results showed that violent offenses were more common in victims of physical abuse and victims of multiple forms of abuse than in non-victims, both in boys and girls. In boys, sexual offenses were far more common in victims of sexual abuse than in victims of other or multiple forms of maltreatment or in non-victims. In girls, no group differences were found in sexual offending behavior. For both boys and girls, externalizing problems were relatively common in victims of physical abuse and neglect whereas internalizing problems were relatively common in victims of sexual abuse. 

In victims of multiple forms of maltreatment, both internalizing and externalizing problems were relatively common. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Via: http://ht.ly/RRnO6

By: van der Put CE1, Lanctôt N2, de Ruiter C3, van Vugt E1.

• 1Department of Forensic Child and Youth Care Sciences, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
• 2Department of Psychoeducation, University of Sherbrooke, Canada.
• 3Department of Forensic Psychology Section, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.

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