No abstract

Several pre/perinatal factors (e.g., birth complications, maternal substance use, low birth weight) have been associated with early neuropsychological deficits and negative behavioural outcomes in infancy, childhood, and adolescence. The current study examines the relationship between maternal substance use during pregnancy and its impact on physical aggression and sexual behaviours in a sample of preschoolers. This study is based on a sample of children (<em>n</em> = 129), boys and girls, recruited as part of the KD-BEAR project, an ongoing longitudinal study conducted in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The sample consisted of clinical referrals for an externalizing disorder and children recruited in daycares located in at-risk neighbourhoods. Semi-structured interviews were completed with the primary caregiver. A series of structural equation modelling showed that children showing higher levels of physical aggression and sexual behaviours were more likely to have been exposed to maternal substance use and pregnancy-related complications. Implications of the study are discussed in light of the scientific literature on the early prevention of aggression and violence.

Placement in child protection services, or becoming a child in care, is associated with a disproportionate involvement in youth and adult criminal justice systems. While there is not extensive research on this relationship, there is evidence that many children in care have risk profiles consistent with criminal justice involvement. This article provides an overview of the prevalence of exposure to risk factors related to mental health, education, and antisocial behaviour among children in care, in addition to risk factors that are distinctive to those placed in child protection services. A recent large cohort dataset from British Columbia, Canada, is utilized to examine these risk profiles. Recommendations to identify those involved in child protection services most at risk for criminal justice involvement, with the use of risk management instruments such as the Cracow Instrument, are discussed. In addition, several other important policy themes regarding diagnostic and case management challenges are explored.

Although a large number of studies offer consistent and persuasive evidence that exposure to childhood maltreatment and subsequent juvenile offending behaviours are related, relatively few studies have investigated the mechanisms by which maltreatment might increase risk in young offender populations. The aim of this pilot study was to collate data on the key areas of need from 28 young male offenders in secure care in an Australian jurisdiction, with a specific focus on the inter-relationship between scores on self-report measures of maltreatment, trauma, and mental health. The findings provide preliminary evidence that these key constructs are linked to other proximal risk factors for juvenile offending, such as poor anger regulation and antisocial thinking patterns. They offer a rationale for considering the sequelae of maltreatment in the development of service delivery frameworks for young offenders.