BACKGROUND: Evidences point out that the young offenders involved with major crimes (such as homicide, rape and violent robbery) have psychopathic personality, with greater risk of recidivism but do not have a higher prevalence of childhood abuse history compared to other young delinquents. OBJECTIVE: To compare the psychopathy, criminal recidivism. However, incidence of childhood abuse is similar to other young delinquents groups. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, controlled, using the Hare's Psychopathy Checklist Revised Scale (PCL-R) to evaluate psychopathy traits among adolescents sentenced by the Brazilian Law. RESULTS: Severe young offenders had a high prevalence of psychopathy; PR = 2,86 (CI95% 1,49-5,47) as compared to the control group. The criminal recidivism was more prevalent among the adolescents with severe crime records and psychopathy; PR = 2,96 (CI95% 1,32-6,60). The study did not show a significant prevalence of childhood abuse history in the psychopathy young as compared to other adolescent offenders; PR = 0,88 (CI95% 0,66-1,15). CONCLUSION: The results suggest a higher prevalence of psychopathic and criminal recidivism among severe adolescent offenders compared to other young delinquents.
Adolescent; crime; psychopathy
