Age of Crime Onset and Psychopathic Traits in Female Juvenile Delinquents. (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pechorro, Pedro; Gonçalves, Rui Abrunhosa; Marôco, João; Nunes, Cristina; Jesus, Saul Neves
• Is Part Of: International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology. Volume 58:Number 9(2014)
• Page Start: 1101
• Page End: 1119
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: female juvenile delinquency -- psychopathic traits -- crime onset; Criminals -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Criminal psychology -- Periodicals; Violent offenders -- Periodicals; Sex offenders -- Periodicals; Criminology -- Periodicals; 364.3
• DOI: 10.1177/0306624X13489864
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-624X

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the role of psychopathic traits in the age of crime onset of female juvenile delinquents. Using a sample of 132 young females from the Juvenile Detention Centers of the Portuguese Ministry of Justice and from schools in the Lisbon region, a group of early crime onset ( n = 44), a group of late crime onset ( n = 44), and a nondelinquent school group ( n = 44) were formed. Results showed that early crime onset participants score higher on psychopathy measures, self-reported delinquency, and crime seriousness than late crime onset participants and school participants. Psychopathic-traits scores were significantly associated with age of crime onset, age at first trouble with the law, and frequency and seriousness of crime.