Mental health, personality and cognitive problems in persistent adolescent offenders require long-term solutions: a pilot study

This paper presents an investigation of the mental health needs, personality and cognitive functioning of persistent male adolescent offenders serving custodial sentences. Each participant completed a diagnostic interview (K-SADS-E); a self-report measure used to assess adolescent personality characteristics, personal problems and the presence of clinical syndromes (MACI); and an intelligence test (WISC). The results showed the group exhibited a complex combination of externalising behaviours (conduct disorder, ADHD, drug abuse), familial and interpersonal difficulties and low intelligence. These results are considered in terms of their clinical implications. The recent UK government emphasis on short custodial sentences is considered disparate with the findings of this study and the existing evidence on effective treatments. There is a need for longer term intervention strategies for this vulnerable group of individuals, who without the appropriate help and support are at significant risk of re-offending.