Comparing male and female juveniles charged with homicide: child maltreatment, substance abuse, and crime details

J Interpers Violence. 2009 Apr;24(4):601-17. doi: 10.1177/0886260508317201. Epub 2008 May 16.

Abstract

This study examines a sample of 136 male and female juveniles charged with attempted homicide or homicide. The purpose of this study is to explore the differences between nondirect file male and female juvenile homicide offenders regarding individual, family, and crime circumstances. Findings suggest that compared to male juvenile offenders, female juvenile homicide offenders have higher rates of reported childhood abuse, more serious substance abuse, and mental health problems including suicidal ideations, depression, anxiety, anger, and irritability. Male juvenile homicide offenders reported higher rates of substance use than their female counterparts but the females had more serious substance abuse problems. Female juveniles were found to more often kill a person known to them and male homicide offenders were found to more often kill a stranger. These findings suggest strongly that male and female juvenile homicide offenders are dissimilar and require unique assessment and treatment.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology
  • Anger
  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / psychology
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / statistics & numerical data*
  • Comorbidity
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Homicide / psychology
  • Homicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Juvenile Delinquency / classification
  • Juvenile Delinquency / psychology
  • Juvenile Delinquency / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Prisoners / psychology
  • Prisoners / statistics & numerical data*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Distribution
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology