Comparison of conduct-disordered behavior in crack-dealing versus nondealing juvenile offenders

Currently, little research has investigated psychosocial functioning among juvenile crack dealers, and there appear to be few studies comparing dealer s to nondealing juvenile offenders. The current study examined whether juve nile crack dealers display more severe conduct-disordered behavior than the ir nondealing delinquent peers. The records of 130 adolescent males committ ed to a residential training school were studied. Analyses indicated that c rack dealers were younger when first arrested, had more arrests and commitm ents, and met more DSM-III-R conduct-disorder criteria than their nondealin g delinquent peers. In addition, the DSM-III-R conduct-disorder criteria me t by dealers were more severe, and dealers were more likely to be rearreste d. within six months following release. Overall, significant differences be tween crack dealers and nondealing juvenile offenders were found; dealers d isplayed a more delinquent history and a more serious and violent conduct d isorder than their nondealing yet delinquent peers.