Abstract

PECHORRO, Pedro; POIARES, Carlos; MAROCO, João  and  VIEIRA, Rui Xavier. Psychopathic traits and conduct disorder in institutionalized adolescents. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2012, vol.13, n.2, pp.399-409. ISSN 1645-0086.

The aim of the present study was to compare institutionalized male and female juvenile offenders regarding psychopathic traits, conduct disorder prevalence, and delinquent behaviors. With a total forensic sample of 310 participants subdivided in a male group (n = 217) and a female group (n = 93) statistically significant differences were found between the groups regarding the Antisocial Process Screening Device self-report (APSD-SR) callous-unemotional dimension, the Adapted Self-reported Delinquency Scale (ASRDS), and the Index of Crime Severity (ICS). Conduct disorder prevalence was very high in both genders, but no statistically significant sex differences were found. Institutionalized female juvenile offenders clearly show less callous-unemotional traits, and lower frequency and severity of delinquent behaviors.

Keywords : Psychopathic traits; Conduct Disorder; Gender; Juvenile delinquency.

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