Typologies of Violence Exposure and Cognitive Processing in Incarcerated Male Adolescents

• NCJ Number: 247952
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: May 2014 Pages: 439-451
• Author(s): Suzanne C. Perkins; Joanne Smith-Darden; Rebecca M. Ametrano; Sandra Graham-Bermann
• Date Published: May 2014
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Incarcerated youth experience high rates of violence exposure (VE), cognitive processing (CP) deficits, and mental health (MH) problems.

Abstract

Incarcerated youth experience high rates of violence exposure (VE), cognitive processing (CP) deficits, and mental health (MH) problems. It is not clear whether VE combined with CP deficits are particularly salient risk factors for MH dysfunction. Male incarcerated youth offenders (n = 115) completed standardized self-reports of MH and VE. CP was measured with executive functioning tasks and academic assessments. Person-centered Ward's Squared Euclidian Distance cluster analysis was used to examine unique patterns of CP and VE. Cluster analysis defined five distinct profiles of MH functioning, CP, and VE rates within incarcerated adolescents. Two groups, with high rates of VE and CP deficits, showed high rates of MH problems. Linear techniques may obscure important differences within this population. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.