Childhood family problems and current psychiatric problems among young violent and property offenders.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective was to examine whether young property and violent offenders would differ from each other in the prevalence of childhood abuse and neglect experiences, prevalence of various early family problems, and prevalence of disruptive behavior disorders, depression, and substance use.

METHOD

Childhood abuse and neglect assessments and family problems were based on interview, questionnaire, and file data. Psychiatric diagnoses were made on the basis of a structured clinical interview.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of childhood physical or psychological abuse, or neglect between the groups. According to the files, physical abuse was experienced by 57.5% of the violent offenders compared with 37% of the property offenders (p = .10). The prevalence rates of family problems were not different in the groups. Seventy-one percent of the violent group abused street drugs compared with 51% of the property group (p < .05), but the groups did not differ in disruptive behavior disorders, alcohol abuse/dependence, or depression.

CONCLUSIONS

The property and violent offenders were surprisingly similar to each other in childhood experiences, family problems, and psychiatric diagnoses. The prevalence of childhood family and psychiatric problems was high in both groups.