Citation

Heynen E, van der Helm P, Cima M, Stams GJ, Korebrits A. Int. J. Offender Ther. Comp. Criminol. 2016; 61(15): 1701-1718.

Affiliation

Helios Park Clinics Leipzig, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0306624X16630543

PMID

26873150

Abstract

Aggression and callous-unemotional (CU) traits are common problems in incarcerated delinquent youth. The present study was conducted to examine whether living group climate was associated with aggression and CU traits in late adolescent male offenders (N = 156) in a German youth prison. A structural equation model was fitted to the data and showed associations between repression and reactive aggression and CU traits, but no associations between an open and supportive living group climate and aggression and CU traits. Previous research in Dutch youth prisons did not find a relation between repression and aggression, buta relation between a positive living group climate and less aggression. These different findings may reflect differences in the German and Dutch prison system. Implications for practice are discussed.

Keywords: Juvenile justice

Language: en