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Multidimensional Assessment of Young Male Offenders in Penal Institutions

NCJ Number
189556
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 45 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2001 Pages: 478-488
Author(s)
Gunter Hinrichs
Date Published
August 2001
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study involved a multidimensional assessment of 108 imprisoned male youthful offenders in Germany who had a positive indication for psychotherapy; the study included a demographic and personal history inventory, psychological tests, and diagnosis according to the multiaxial classification.
Abstract
The study also included an analysis of adherence to psychotherapy and a formulation of therapy objectives. Results revealed that the participants had an average age of 20.8 years and included 15 percent ages 14-18 years, 41 percent ages 18-21 years, and 44 percent ages 18-25. The participants displayed multiple developmental risk factors and average-to-good results in language-free IQ test scores. In addition, they displayed a more pronounced negative attitude and higher rates of aggressiveness toward themselves when compared with the standardization sample. Ninety-one percent had no psychiatric disorder. Their main disorders included personality and behavior disorders, alcohol or drug abuse disorders, conduct disorders, and emotional disorders. The spectrum of psychiatric morbidity within the psychotherapy group was largely comparable with that of imprisoned and forensic populations, whereas the total prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was slightly higher. One fourth of the original sample failed after five test sessions to fulfill the final indication for a subsequent psychotherapeutic treatment. The analysis concluded that multidimensional assessment of young offenders with a positive indication for psychotherapy revealed more similarities with inmate and forensic populations than with individuals receiving psychotherapy or with adolescents attending a psychiatric institution. Therefore, therapeutic strategies need to consider these results both when treating this clientele and when formulating therapy goals. Tables, appended assessment information, and 26 references (Author abstract modified)