Catherine A. Yeager

Child Abuse: Adolescent Records vs. Adult Recall.

In a follow-up study of incarcerated Connecticut youth, 69 subjects were interviewed during young adulthood. On follow-up, 26 gave histories of abuse discrepant with histories obtained from records and interviews conducted in adolescence. Eleven subjects agreed to an additional clarification interview, at which time they were apprised of the discrepancies. Of these, eight had adolescent records indicating that abuse had occurred but denied abuse during the adult follow-up interview. The remaining three had adolescent records indicating no abuse had ever occurred, but, on follow-up, reported having been abused. The additional clarification interviews revealed that all 11 subjects with discrepant histories had, in fact, been abused. Reasons for these discrepant data and strategies to enhance the investigators ability to obtain accurate data regarding abuse are discussed.

Toward a theory of the genesis of violence: a follow-up study of delinquents

The results of a follow-up study of 95 formerly incarcerated delinquents are reported. Adult F.B.I. and state police records were used. All but six of the subjects had adult criminal records. The average number of adult offenses was 11.58. Juvenile violence alone did not distinguish well between those who would and would not go on to adult violent crime. Seventy-seven percent of the more violent juveniles and 61% of the less violent juveniles committed adult aggressive offenses. The interaction of intrinsic vulnerabilities (cognitive, psychiatric, and neurological) and a history of abuse and/or family violence was a better predictor of adult violent crime.

A Follow-up of Female Delinquents: Maternal Contributions to the Perpetuation of Deviance

Twenty-one female delinquents, neuropsychiatrically evaluated while in a juvenile correctional facility, were followed up to 7 to 12 years later. Compared with a matched sample of male delinquents, they committed fewer and less violent offenses. Unlike the males, early biopsychosocial variables were not predictive of adult criminality; however, most females were seriously impaired neuropsychiatrically. Mortality rates were high. Having come from abusive households, the female delinquents became suicidal, alcoholic, drug addicted, enmeshed in violent relationships, and unable to care for their children.

A clinical follow-up of delinquent males: ignored vulnerabilities, unmet needs, and the perpetuation of violence.

OBJECTIVE This paper describes the adult adaptation of a group of 97 formerly incarcerated male delinquents. METHOD Follow-up clinical interviews were administered to subjects, approximately 9 years after discharge from juvenile corrections. The records of the correctional school, state police, FBI, state psychiatric hospitals, and state health department also were reviewed. RESULTS All but six had adult criminal records, most for violent crimes. Only 10% were graduated from high school; 30% received minimal job training; most worked sporadically at unskilled jobs. Few married. Although 35 had fathered children, only 5 were living with them. Psychiatric treatment for identified vulnerabilities was negligible. Upon discharge, the most neuropsychiatrically impaired and violent subjects tended to be placed in adult corrections; the most intact were placed in special schools and psychiatric hospitals. Numbers of vulnerabilities continued to contribute most significantly to violent outcome regardless of placement. Placement in families was associated with fewer adult aggressive offenses than was institutional placement, even while controlling for vulnerabilities and early juvenile violence. CONCLUSION Based on their well-documented early vulnerabilities and needs, this sample of delinquents did not obtain the kinds of supports subsequent to juvenile incarceration that might have enabled them to function independently in society.

Intrinsic and Environmental Characteristics of Juvenile Murderers

Abstract The biopsychosocial characteristics of a sample of 13 juvenile murderers, evaluated after committing homicide, were compared with those of 14 violent, incarcerated delinquents and those of 18 nonviolent incarcerated delinquents. The juvenile murderers did not differ significantly from other very violent but nonhomicidal delinquents. A constellation of neuropsychiatric and family characteristics, however, distinguished the murderers from the nonviolent delinquents. The 13 juvenile murderers evaluated after their homicidal acts were also compared with nine juvenile murderers evaluated before committing homicide. Differences between these groups are described in relation to the timing of their evaluations.

Encopresis and sexual abuse in a sample of boys in residential treatment

The purpose of this paper is threefold: (a) to report an unusually high prevalence of encopresis in a sample of boys in psychiatric residential treatment; (b) to explore the possible relationship of sexual abuse to the development of encopresis in these cases; and (c) to discuss the diagnostic and treatment implications of our findings.