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Biomedical subjects

H Scheurer

Publications and source records attributed to H Scheurer.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

[In Process Citation]

Empirical studies showed that alcohol and drug addicted delinquents are problematic patients whose treatment is under strain due to difficulties resulting from hospitalisation by court. In the course of treatment it turned out that there is usually a high rate of relapses to addictive drugs and alcohol as well as break-outs. Between 11 and 47% of the patients have to be returned to the penal system. This study investigates which patient groups can very probably be treated successfully and which patient groups have to be classified as risk groups. An analysis of files of 103 concluded treatments at a psychiatric centre in South Germany, ZfP Weinsberg (Massregelvollzug according to section 64 German Penal Code), showed that the factors low age at the time of hospitalisation, lacking education and vocational qualification, drug addiction, early first-time sentencing, and a broken home in the family of origin are accompanied by unsuccessful treatment attempts. A cluster analysis on the basis of these factors identified several patient groups: a completely successful group (delinquents with several previous convictions and a high tendency to offences), a very probable unsuccessful group (delinquents with several previous convictions and a high tendency to offences), and a poorly predictable group (young patients with an early onset of delinquency). The results suggest to thoroughly consider the "prospect of successful treatment" according to section 64 German Penal Code regarding identified risk groups when deciding on hospitalisation by court. Considering the profile of unsuccessful patients, it is advisable to supplement a therapy programme focussing on the treatment of drug addiction with elements that focus on delinquency.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Forecasting recidivism in delinquency by intelligence and related constructs.

In a longitudinal survey of 122 healthy criminal offenders aged 18 to 37 years, the relationship between intelligence measured by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), neuropsychological scales and delinquency was investigated. The Benton Test correlates well with the WAIS and moderately with offence data, but not with recidivism in delinquency. The 122 men had normal intelligence test scores (average IQ = 102), but bad school and working records. The 34 per cent and 60 per cent respectively of offenders, who relapsed within the time span of 1.5 and 3 years respectively, showed significantly worse results in the Verbal Scale and in the Block Design of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale. Poor performance in the Information and the Block Design sub-tests of the WAIS, a low level of formal education and the belief in external control by circumstances and powerful others are predictors of a high risk of recidivism.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Cerebral dysfunction, neurologic symptoms and recurrent delinquency--I. Review of the literature].

Men with polytropic and persistent delinquency constitute a core group of criminal offenders. Criminological research could establish a set of social characteristics for this group, but psychiatric, neurological and neuropsychological variables with importance to the formation of delinquent recidivism are rarely investigated. In this study we give a survey of the results concerning the relevance of genetic factors for delinquent behaviour. Then we review the development of the "minimal brain disorder" conception and its changes to "hyperkinetic syndrome", "attention deficit disorder" and to specific developmental disorders, which are all associated with a higher degree of conduct disorders and delinquent behaviour. We finally discuss the stability and relevance of nonfocal neurological ("soft") signs and depict a tentative model of the relations between the influential factors. Part II of this study (66) gives an account of the results of the "Heidelberg Delinquency Study" in this area.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Cerebral dysfunction, neurologic symptoms and persistent deliquency. II. Results of the Heidelberg Delinquency Project].

In a multidimensional model, the "Heidelberg Delinquency Study" explores biological, biographical, psychological and social factors that may be important to the development and persistence of violent crimes. After a survey of the literature in part I (22) the empirical results in the areas of neurological anamnesis, neurological findings and nonfocal neurological ("soft") signs and their correlations with other variables, e.g. criminal relapses, are reported. In our population of 129 adult offenders we found a high relevance of nonfocal neurological signs. These symptoms were associated with problems in social adjustment and conduct disorder in childhood, cognitive impairment, reduced emotional response, externalizing attributional style and a pattern of rapid delinquent relapses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Measuring depression of prisoners].

On the basis of a sample of 125 adult criminal offenders and 66 students, the use of the abriged BDI as a depression screening device for felons is explored. The investigation confirms the high consistency and item-total correlations of the BDI. The factorial validity is doubtful. Only the first factor may be reidentified in different samples. A high percentage of offenders had scores at or above 8 indicating moderate or severe depression. Since offenders and students do not differ in the depression scores, the validity of the cut-off scores (Beck & Beck, 1972) may be questioned. The abriged BDI does not correlate with criminal or arrest data (e.g. number of offences, sentence length and status of imprisonment), but with other self-report measures for the assessment of self-concept or anxiety. Discriminant validity in respect to related constructs (anxiety and self-concept) cannot be expected.

Adolescent↗