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VIOLENCE AMONG HOSPITALIZED DELINQUENTS

NCJ Number
30718
Journal
Archives of General Psychiatry Volume: 32 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1975) Pages: 1180-1186
Author(s)
D OFFER; R C MAROHN; E OSTROV
Date Published
1975
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A REPORT ON THE EXTENT OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR AMONG 55 MALE AND FEMALE HOSPITALIZED JUVENILE DELINQUENTS OVER A THREE YEAR PERIOD.
Abstract
VIOLENT BEHAVIOR WAS CORRELATED WITH THE ADOLESCENT SELFIMAGE AND THE RATINGS OF STAFF AND PSYCHOTHERAPISTS. VIOLENT ADOLESCENT BOYS WERE FOUND TO HAVE A HEALTHIER SELF-IMAGE AND ARE MORE LIKED BY THEIR THERAPIST THAN NON-VIOLENT ADOLESCENT BOYS. THE OPPOSITE EFFECT WAS OBSERVED FOR FEMALE ADOLESCENTS. INITIALLY, THE MENTAL HEALTH STAFF LIKED THE NON-VIOLENT DELINQUENTS BETTER; THIS FINDING WAS NO LONGER SIGNIFICANT AFTER THE ADOLESCENTS WERE ON THE UNIT FOR THIRTEEN WEEKS. THE DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON THE INDIVIDUAL AND STAFF PSYCHODYNAMICS AND CULTURAL FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE OUTBREAK OF VIOLENCE.