ADOLESCENT RISK. The psychological assessment and management of problem areas contributing to adolescent criminal behavior

Psychological assessments were completed on fifty adolescent offenders (ages 13 through 18). All evaluations were court ordered to assist with legal disposition and focused on assessment and management of problem areas that were believed to contribute to repeated criminal behavior. A process for the psychological evaluation of problem areas and the development of management strategies to address these areas is described. Frequencies of problem areas are presented with discussion of the most frequent. School problems, past aggressive acts, negative peer influences, and a guarded/ avoiding personality style were the most frequently cited. Management strategies for high frequency problem areas are also discussed.