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Health histories of juvenile offenders and a matched control group in Saskatchewan, Canada
Author(s) -
KENDALL KATHLEEN,
ANDRE GLENN,
PEASE KEN,
BOULTON ALAN
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
criminal behaviour and mental health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1471-2857
pISSN - 0957-9664
DOI - 10.1002/cbm.1992.2.3.269
Subject(s) - juvenile , mental health , juvenile delinquency , public health , psychiatry , psychology , criminal justice , occupational safety and health , criminal record , suicide prevention , medicine , poison control , criminology , medical emergency , nursing , genetics , pathology , biology
A great deal of public and academic concern has been directed towards juvenile criminal involvement. In efforts to predict and control criminal behaviour, various explanations have been forwarded. A review of the literature indicates that a number of physical and psychiatric characteristics are hypothesised to be related to subsequent criminal activity. This study examines the health histories of 1647 young offenders and a matched control group of non‐offenders. Information for the two groups was extracted from the records of various branches of the Saskatchewan Department of Health which contained historical data on hospital admissions and separations, outpatients services, and mental health services. Five health categories have been focused upon: trauma to the central nervous system; perinatal problems; psychiatric contacts; indicators of child abuse; and a general history of illness. A select number of health variables representing these categories were drawn from the available records and compared between the groups. Preliminary findings regarding the relationship of these health variables with juvenile justice system contacts indicated only weak or non‐significant associations. One or more follow‐up reports are anticipated.