NCJ Number
48769
Date Published
1978
Length
41 pages
Annotation
A PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER AND A CHILD PSYCHIATRIST DISCUSS EVIDENCE REGARDING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR IN LATER YEARS.
Abstract
THE COMMENTS, PRESENTED BEFORE A COMMITTEE OF THE CANADIAN SENATE, INCLUDE THE WITNESSES' PREPARED STATEMENTS AND ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS POSED BY SENATORS. THE SOCIAL WORKER REFERS TO POPULATION-BASED STUDIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THAT IDENTIFIED STRESS FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS IN CHILDREN. THESE FACTORS INCLUDED SEVERE MARITAL DISCORD BETWEEN PARENTS. LOW SOCIAL STATUS, OVERCROWDING OF LARGE FAMILY SIZE, CRIMINALITTY OF THE FATHER, AND PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER OF THE MOTHER OR HER ADMISSION INTO THE CARE OF A LOCAL AUTHORITY. THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERACTIONAL EFFECTS IN THE CUMULATION OF STRESSES IS EMPHASIZED. STUDIES SUGGESTING THAT ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS AND TRAUMA ARE MOST DAMAGING TO CHILDREN WHO ARE GENETICALLY VULNERABLE ARE CITED. PROTECTIVE FACTORS -- POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS FOR THE NORMAL OR ABOVE-NORMAL DEVELOPMENT OF SOME CHILDREN DESPITE SEVERE SOCIAL AND APPARENT GENETIC DISADVANTAGE--ARE DISCUSSED. THE CHILD PSYCIATRIST TOUCHES ON BIOLOGICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRIBUTORS TO PSYCHOPATHOLOGY IN CHILDREN, CITING SPECIFIC RESEARCH STUDIES IN EACH AREA. HE STRESSES THE MULTIPLICITY OF FACTORS IN THE ETIOLOGY OF DELINQUENCY AND CRIMINALITY. BOTH WITNESSES RESPOND TO QUESTIONS REFLECTING THE COMMITTEE'S MANDATE TO RECOMMEND REMEDIAL AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES AIMED AT REDUCING CRIME AND VIOLENCE IN SOCIETY. --IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH. (LKM)