A. Sarris et al., Behaviour problems in adolescence: A comparison of juvenile offenders and adolescents referred to a mental health service, AUST J PSYC, 52(1), 2000, pp. 17-22
This study compared the behaviour problems and specific social skill defici
ts reported by adolescent recidivist offenders and adolescents referred to
a mental health service. The results demonstrated sex differences in the ty
pes of problems reported by adolescents in the clinic (referred) group. The
results also demonstrated few differences between male offenders and males
in the clinic group in terms of overall emotional and behavioural problems
, general family functioning, specific social skills, and the intensity and
control of anger. The results of this study have two implications. One imp
lication is that social skills intervention programs need to address sex di
fferences in the types of problems reported by adolescents attending mental
health facilities. A second implication is that the social skills interven
tion programs are needed for juvenile offenders.