Although knowledge on and prevention of juvenile homicide are crucial for social welfare and have been approached through different methodological instruments, this behavior is still quite difficult to be addressed. In this study, we have analyzed several psychological and social factors that could be theoretically related to juvenile homicidal behavior. Our case-control study included young ( M = 16.8 years) males institutionalized in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, under judicial order for crime. Out of 195 cases, 130 had committed homicide, 15 had repeated homicide, and 50 had attempted homicide. The control group comprised 305 young males who had committed other types of crimes. Self-reported and informant-reported instruments and professional assessment were used: Consideration of Future Consequences (CFC) Scale, Weinberger Adjustment Inventory (WAI), Resistance to Peer Influence (RPI), Psychopathy Checklist–Youth Version (PCL-YV), and Inventory of Callous Unemotional Traits (ICU). Differences between indicators of the psychological and social dimensions were not statistically significant. Only Factor 4 of the PCL-YV showed statistically significant difference. However, the relevance of this result is under discussion.
The genus Ctenomys comprises about 70 species with great chromosome diversity. The Corrientes group is one of the most chromosomally variable lineages in the genus, where the diploid number (2n) varies from 41 to 70. In this group, three nominal species and numerous polymorphic and polytypic populations have been described. In order to get insight into the chromosomal evolution of this species complex, we applied different banding and molecular cytogenetic techniques. The results were interpreted in an evolutionary context, based on mitochondrial cytochrome b analyses. Studied samples are representative of the broad chromosomal variability in the group, including specimens with 2n = 42 to 2n = 70. Heterochromatin was scarce but concentrated in a few chromosomes. Centromeric DAPI-negative heterochromatin was observed in some autosomal pairs, which differed among populations. Location and amount of DAPI-neutral heterochromatin within the Y chromosome varied among populations. The variable distribution of heterochromatin indicates its dynamic behavior. NORs were detected in one pair of autosomes, which also differed among some populations. Telomeric FISH signals were observed in all complements only at the chromosome ends. The Corrientes group belongs to a clade that also includes C. pearsoni, C. lami, C. minutus, C. ibicuiensis and C. torquatus. Almost all of these species are variable at the chromosomal level, suggesting that this is the ancestral condition of the clade. Within the Corrientes group, the observed low genetic divergence, in contrast with its high chromosomal variability, is indicative of decoupling between the rates of chromosomal and mitochondrial evolution.
Introduction: Different developmental and environmental vulnerability conditions can influence violent behavior in young people.Objectives: To describe the characteristics of young males who were convicted of murder or attempted murder in the province of Buenos Aires, based on indicators of maturity, impulsivity, and socio-family vulnerability.Materials and Methods: Descriptive and exploratory study. The sample consisted of 195 young men (mean: 16.8 years) imprisoned in reformatory institutions of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, as they were convicted of murder (n=130), repeated murder (n=15), or attempted murder (n=50). Self and hetero-informed instruments, and professional assessment scales were used, namely: the Consideration of Future Consequences Scale (CFC); the Psychosocial Maturity Inventory (PSM); the Weinberg Adjustment Inventory (WAI); the Resistance to Peer Influence Questionnaire (RPIQ); the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV); the Inventory of Callous Unemotional Traits (ICU), and the Barrat Impulsiveness Scale version 11 (BIS-11).Results: The distribution of the total BIS 11 and the PSM Individual Adaptation were normal (mean: 62.33 and 6.38, respectively). The mean of the total PCL:YV was 25.87. In 32.8% of the cases a first degree relative was also imprisoned. “Impulsive” and “Nonimpulsive” clusters were empirically established.Conclusions: The participants’ profile is characterized by several psychological and socio-family vulnerabilities that should be targeted in preventive interventions aimed at preventing violent recidivism.
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