Abstract

FARINA, Francisca; VAZQUEZ, María José  and  ARCE, Ramón. Is Offence Severity and the Chronicity of Juvenile Delinquency Mediated by Cognitive-Behavioural Competence?. Univ. Psychol. [online]. 2014, vol.13, n.3, pp.881-891. ISSN 1657-9267.  https://doi.org/10.11144/Javeriana.UPSY13-3.emgd.

The correspondence between juvenile delinquency and cognitive-behavioural competence has been the subject of ongoing concern in the scientific literature. Developmental criminology and Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) models have associated offence severity and the chronicity of juvenile delinquency to the degree of cognitive-behavioural development. In terms of the juvenile justice system, delinquent behaviour is classified according to offence severity (violent vs. non-violent offences), and the type of offender (first-time offender vs. chronic offender). In order to assess the nexus between chronic delinquent behaviour and the degree of cognitive-behavioural competence, 283 juveniles serving custodial sentences, 139 for violent offences (71 first-time offenders and 68 reoffenders), and 144 for non-violent offences (77 reoffenders and 67 first-time offenders), were assessed in terms of cognitive (e.g., regulation emotional, self-concept, attribution of responsibility, problem-solving skills) and behavioural competence. The results revealed that offence severity was not mediated by the level of cognitive-behavioural competence, and chronic delinquency was linked to low levels of competence. The results are discussed in the light of juvenile delinquency treatment programmes and sentencing.

Keywords : conduct problems; juvenile offenders; antisocial behavior; violence; recidivism; cognitive competence.

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