An Examination of Psychiatric and Sociodemographic Risk Factors Among Children and Adolescents in Conflict with the Law
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the psychiatric and sociodemographic risk factors associated with children and adolescents in conflict with the law referred to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of Ardahan State Hospital by judicial authorities between October 2022 and August 2024. Understanding these factors is essential for developing effective interventions and preventive strategies targeting juvenile delinquency.
Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 104 children and adolescents evaluated for forensic psychiatric purposes. Cases involving victims were excluded. Data were collected from patient files and forensic evaluation records, covering sociodemographic characteristics, previous psychiatric diagnoses, types of crimes committed, and forensic assessment details.
Results: The majority of children and adolescents in conflict with the law were male (86.5%), with a mean age of 14.58 years. The most common psychiatric disorders were Conduct Disorder (36.5%), ADHD (25%), and comorbid ADHD with Conduct Disorder (26%). Verbal crimes were more frequently associated with children diagnosed with anxiety and depression, while physical crimes were predominantly associated with ADHD and Conduct Disorder. A significant relationship was found between parental separation and previous criminal involvement, indicating that children from separated families were more likely to engage in recurrent criminal behavior.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of early psychiatric evaluation and intervention to prevent delinquency and improve mental health outcomes. Comprehensive psychiatric assessments, targeted interventions, and family support systems are essential in addressing factors contributing to juvenile delinquency. Future research should focus on larger samples and explore the impact of early interventions on reducing delinquency and promoting mental health in children and adolescents in conflict with the law.
Keywords
Juvenile Offenders, Psychiatric Risk Factors, Sociodemographic Risk Factors, Forensic Evaluation, Forensic Psychiatry
Supporting Institution
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. All expenses related to the study were covered by the authors.
Thanks
The authors wish to express their sincere gratitude to all the healthcare professionals who participated in this study and contributed to the forensic evaluations. Special thanks are extended to the administrative staff of Ardahan State Hospital’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic for facilitating access to medical records and ensuring smooth data collection. The authors also acknowledge the contributions of the research assistants who supported data collection and preliminary analysis. Finally, the authors thank Lokman Hekim University for providing the infrastructure and support necessary for conducting this study.
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