RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Closed educational centres (CEC) receive young offenders who most often have a conduct disorder (CD). Mental disorders other than conduct disorder are a negative factor in the effect of educational actions. Moreover, adverse life experiences are frequent vulnerability factors in this population. This article aims to document the prevalence and links between psychiatric disorders, exposure to trauma, and the psycho-behavioural characteristics of adolescents placed in CEC. METHOD: We conducted a multicentre epidemiological study on a sample of 101 adolescents placed in nine closed educational centres in France. Psychiatric disorders were measured by the MINI-KID 2 and Conners Rating Scale questionnaires. Several questionnaires were used to collect sociodemographic data and the psychological profile of each adolescent. RESULTS: Among the adolescents, 90.2% had at least one mental disorder with a predominance of conduct disorder (80%). Comorbidity was also frequently found: among the subjects with conduct disorder, 37% had at least one other psychiatric disorder. Interestingly, the intensity of conduct disorder and the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) score were significantly correlated. Furthermore, two subgroups were identified: adolescents with isolated conduct disorder (44.6%) and adolescents with other psychiatric disorders (45.7%) with or without conduct disorder. The latter subgroup showed higher vulnerability and poorer outcomes in terms of attachment patterns, feelings of abandonment, hostility and impulsivity. CONCLUSION: This study is the first French epidemiological study of mental disorders in juvenile offenders. It suggests that the detection of psychiatric disorders in young people in CEC is an important prerequisite for the implementation of targeted interventions according to different profiles. Furthermore, collaboration between the medical-psychological and judicial fields, in the form of an operational partnership, is necessary to guarantee better support for these young people.
RESUMO
Since 2010 and the founding of the Islamic State, the radicalisation phenomenon in Europe has involved more adolescents and converts to Islam than in previous Islamist terrorist group movements (e.g., Al-Qaeda). In most cases, these adolescents are "homegrown terrorists," a challenging difference, as they are in confrontation with their home and societal environment. As a new and emerging phenomenon, radicalisation leads to many questions. Are empathic capacities altered? Are they presenting psychiatric pathologies or suicidal tendencies that explain why they put themselves in serious dangers? Are they just young delinquents who simply met a radical ideology? In January 2018, by special Justice Department authorisation, we contacted all minors (N = 31) convicted in France for "criminal association to commit terrorism." We assessed several sociodemographic, clinical and psychological variables, including empathy and suicidality, in half of them (N = 15) and compared them with 101 teenagers convicted for non-terrorist delinquency who were placed in Closed Educational Centres (CEC). The results show that adolescents engaged in radicalisation and terrorism do not have a significant prevalence of psychiatric disorders, suicidal tendencies or lack of empathy. It also appears that they have different psychological profiles than delinquent adolescents. "Radicalised" adolescents show better intellectual skills, insight capacities and coping strategies. In addition, the manifestation of their difficulties is less externalised than adolescents from the CEC, having committed very few delinquent acts.
