Lieke van Domburgh

Autistic symptoms in childhood arrestees: longitudinal association with delinquent behavior

BACKGROUND To compare childhood arrestees with matched comparison groups on levels of autistic symptoms and to assess the unique predictive value of autistic symptoms for future delinquent behavior in childhood arrestees. METHODS Childhood first-time arrestees (n = 308, baseline age 10.7 ± 1.5 years) were followed up for 2 years. Autistic symptoms, externalizing disorders and delinquent behavior were assessed yearly. Childhood arrestees were compared on autistic symptoms with matched (age, gender) general population and clinical autism spectrum disorder samples. The predictive value of autistic symptoms for delinquent behavior was analyzed using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS At each assessment, levels of autistic symptoms in childhood arrestees were in between levels found in the general population and autism spectrum disorder samples. Autistic symptoms were positively associated with delinquent behavior in childhood arrestees, even after adjustment for externalizing disorders: IRR (incidence rate ratio) 1.23; 95% CI 1.11-1.36 and IRR 1.29; 95% CI 1.15-1.45 for core autistic symptoms and total symptom score, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Autistic symptoms are more prevalent in childhood arrestees compared to the general population and are uniquely associated with future delinquent behavior. Attention should, therefore, be given to the possible presence of autism related symptomatology in these children. Implications for diagnostic assessment and intervention need further investigation.

Individual, family and offence characteristics of high risk childhood offenders: comparing non-offending, one-time offending and re-offending Dutch-Moroccan migrant children in the Netherlands.

BackgroundChildhood offenders are at an increased risk for developing mental health, social and educational problems later in life. An early onset of offending is a strong predictor for future persistent offending. Childhood offenders from ethnic minority groups are a vulnerable at-risk group. However, up until now, no studies have focused on them.AimsTo investigate which risk factors are associated with (re-)offending of childhood offenders from an ethnic minority.MethodDutch-Moroccan boys, who were registered by the police in the year 2006-2007, and their parents as well as a control group (n = 40) were interviewed regarding their individual and family characteristics. Two years later a follow-up analysis of police data was conducted to identify one-time offenders (n = 65) and re-offenders (n = 35).ResultsAll groups, including the controls, showed substantial problems. Single parenthood (OR 6.0) and financial problems (OR 3.9) distinguished one-time offenders from controls. Reading problems (OR 3.8), having an older brother (OR 5.5) and a parent having Dutch friends (OR 4.3) distinguished re-offenders from one-time offenders. First offence characteristics were not predictive for re-offending. The control group reported high levels of emotional problems (33.3%). Parents reported not needing help for their children but half of the re-offenders families were known to the Child Welfare Agency, mostly in a juridical framework.ConclusionThe Moroccan subgroup of childhood offenders has substantial problems that might hamper healthy development. Interventions should focus on reaching these families tailored to their needs and expectations using a multi-system approach.

Internalizing and externalizing problems in immigrant boys and girls Comparing native Dutch and Moroccan immigrant adolescents across time

This longitudinal study explores differences between native Dutch and immigrant Moroccan adolescents in the relationship between internalizing and externalizing problems across time. By using generalized estimating equations (GEE), the strength and stability of associations between internalizing and externalizing problems in 159 Moroccan and 159 Dutch adolescents was studied over a period of 4 years. No differences in strength of co-occurring problems were found between Moroccan and Dutch adolescents. However, for Moroccan adolescents, associations between problems increased over time, whereas in Dutch adolescents, associations remained stable. The increase of co-occurring problems may be a result of undertreatment and increasing complexity of problems in Moroccans during adolescence. The results of this study imply that investigating processes leading to co-occurring problems in subgroups of adolescents, such as immigrant youths, is needed to optimize prevention and intervention efforts.

Internalizing and externalizing problems in immigrant boys and girls

This longitudinal study explores differences between native Dutch and immigrant Moroccan adolescents in the relationship between internalizing and externalizing problems across time. By using generalized estimating equations (GEE), the strength and stability of associations between internalizing and externalizing problems in 159 Moroccan and 159 Dutch adolescents was studied over a period of 4 years. No differences in strength of co-occurring problems were found between Moroccan and Dutch adolescents. However, for Moroccan adolescents, associations between problems increased over time, whereas in Dutch adolescents, associations remained stable. The increase of co-occurring problems may be a result of undertreatment and increasing complexity of problems in Moroccans during adolescence. The results of this study imply that investigating processes leading to co-occurring problems in subgroups of adolescents, such as immigrant youths, is needed to optimize prevention and intervention efforts.

Autistic symptoms in childhood arrestees

BACKGROUND To compare childhood arrestees with matched comparison groups on levels of autistic symptoms and to assess the unique predictive value of autistic symptoms for future delinquent behavior in childhood arrestees. METHODS Childhood first-time arrestees (n = 308, baseline age 10.7 ± 1.5 years) were followed up for 2 years. Autistic symptoms, externalizing disorders and delinquent behavior were assessed yearly. Childhood arrestees were compared on autistic symptoms with matched (age, gender) general population and clinical autism spectrum disorder samples. The predictive value of autistic symptoms for delinquent behavior was analyzed using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS At each assessment, levels of autistic symptoms in childhood arrestees were in between levels found in the general population and autism spectrum disorder samples. Autistic symptoms were positively associated with delinquent behavior in childhood arrestees, even after adjustment for externalizing disorders: IRR (incidence rate ratio) 1.23; 95% CI 1.11-1.36 and IRR 1.29; 95% CI 1.15-1.45 for core autistic symptoms and total symptom score, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Autistic symptoms are more prevalent in childhood arrestees compared to the general population and are uniquely associated with future delinquent behavior. Attention should, therefore, be given to the possible presence of autism related symptomatology in these children. Implications for diagnostic assessment and intervention need further investigation.

Autistic symptoms in childhood arrestees: longitudinal association with delinquent behavior: Autistic symptoms in childhood arrestees

BACKGROUND To compare childhood arrestees with matched comparison groups on levels of autistic symptoms and to assess the unique predictive value of autistic symptoms for future delinquent behavior in childhood arrestees. METHODS Childhood first-time arrestees (n = 308, baseline age 10.7 ± 1.5 years) were followed up for 2 years. Autistic symptoms, externalizing disorders and delinquent behavior were assessed yearly. Childhood arrestees were compared on autistic symptoms with matched (age, gender) general population and clinical autism spectrum disorder samples. The predictive value of autistic symptoms for delinquent behavior was analyzed using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS At each assessment, levels of autistic symptoms in childhood arrestees were in between levels found in the general population and autism spectrum disorder samples. Autistic symptoms were positively associated with delinquent behavior in childhood arrestees, even after adjustment for externalizing disorders: IRR (incidence rate ratio) 1.23; 95% CI 1.11-1.36 and IRR 1.29; 95% CI 1.15-1.45 for core autistic symptoms and total symptom score, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Autistic symptoms are more prevalent in childhood arrestees compared to the general population and are uniquely associated with future delinquent behavior. Attention should, therefore, be given to the possible presence of autism related symptomatology in these children. Implications for diagnostic assessment and intervention need further investigation.