Socio-cognitive and personal characteristics of young offenders: a field study

Abstract

Adolescence is characterised by a higher prevalence of risk-taking and the challenging of social norms, which appears to bear a relationship to personal abilities and social-cognitive deficits. With the aim of understanding this relationship, a comparative study was undertaken with two groups of adolescents, one belonging to the standard population and one comprising young people who have been subject to correctional measures. In order to evaluate the variables involved, use was made of the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Psychopathology in Adolescence (Q-PAD). The results obtained show that both groups display significant differences in all the variables considered in the Questionnaire, with the exception of those relating to body dissatisfaction and family conflicts. Succinctly, it emerged that the juvenile offenders had emotional and interpersonal problems and were at risk of psychological disturbance. They demonstrated uncertainty about the future, liability to substance abuse, and issues of self-esteem. These results suggest the need for prevention and intervention programmes which specifically take into account these variables. ResumenLa adolescencia constituye una etapa caracterizada por una mayor prevalencia de conductas de riesgo y antinormativas que se relacionan con competencias personales y sociocognitivas deficitarias. Al objeto de conocer dicha relación, se llevó a cabo un estudio comparativo con dos grupos de adolescentes -uno perteneciente a la población normal (n = 35) y el otro compuesto por jóvenes sujetos a medidas de reforma (n = 44) -. Para la evaluación de las variables objeto de estudio se utilizó el Cuestionario para la Evaluación de Problemas en Adolescentes (Q-PAD). Los resultados obtenidos ponen de manifiesto que ambos grupos presentan diferencias significativas en todas las variables contempladas en el instrumento a excepción de las relativas a la insatisfacción corporal y a los conflictos familiares. Sucintamente, se encontró que los menores infractores presentan problemas emocionales, interpersonales, de riesgo psicosocial, incertidumbre sobre el futuro, abuso de sustancias y de autoestima. Los resultados sugieren la necesidad de programas de prevención e intervención que contemplen dichas variables de forma específica.

Well‐being in institutionalised adolescents

“…The link between well‐being and family contact highlights how vital emotional ties are to the well‐being of incarcerated young people, as also noted by Borrás et al. (2017). This evidence too has direct implications for rehabilitation efforts, which must actively promote and strengthen family connections.…”

“…Armstrong & McGhee, 2019;Shulman et al, 2021;van de Weijer, 2022), family contact stands out as one of the most critical factors in reducing vulnerability. The link between well-being and family contact highlights how vital emotional ties are to the well-being of incarcerated young people, as also noted by Borrás et al (2017). This evidence too has direct implications for rehabilitation efforts, which must actively promote and strengthen family connections.…”

Adolescent Conflict and Young Adult Couple Relationships: Directionality of Violence

“…According to the last results of the Spanish National Statistics Institute (National Statistics Institute, 2019), the number of young people reported for gender violence, compared with the previous year, increased by 14.1% at ages 18 to 19 and by 11.9% at ages 25 to 29. Therefore, studies are focusing on the youngest couples because, in this stage, risky behaviors prevail (Borrás et al, 2017) and, in consequence, violent dynamics increase and start to be considered acceptable (Kidman & Kohler, 2020). Dating violence develops differently than adult intimate partner violence.…”

Gender-Based Violence and Sexism among Young Couples

“…Instead, men and women deliberately learn to use violent behaviours to harm their partners (Echeburúa 2019;Ibabe et al 2020;Salguero-Alcañiz et al 2023;Zamora-Damián et al 2018). Violence in couple relationships tends to begin progressively, with a higher frequency at early ages (Borrás et al 2017;Rubio-Garay et al 2017). In this sense, it is considered necessary to continue advancing the associated study and analyse how the gender roles observed in one's family and peer group influence their perceptions and attitudes towards intimate partner violence, and it would be interesting to know its relationship with the socioeconomic and educational levels of one's family.…”