The Psychiatric Correlations of Criminal Behavior

Abstract

"The link between criminal acts and the mental status has been disputed for decades. The psychiatric condition is one of the most studied one of the characteristics may shape human behavior hence criminal activity. Several psychiatric disorders are known to be significant criminogenic risk factors. Recently vast number of researches have been conducted in correctional facilities and extremely high prevalence of psychiatric disorders has been found. These findings raise the question"," whether psychiatric disorders have a direct role in the actual criminal behavior. Juvenile offenders are considered to be a sensitive population both in terms of the development of the criminal carrier and the onset of psychiatric disorders. Therefore, studies investigating the psychiatric correlates of underage crime show a growing number, although compared to research focusing on adults, the knowledge about them is still limited. In the present paper the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in juvenile offender group and the role of psychiatric condition in deviant behavior was examined. During the latter, the symptoms of mental disorders were in focus."