A typology of violent delinquent adolescents

The present study identified four types (Stable Behavioral Handicapped, Brighter and Reactive Late Starter, Early Frequent, and Serious Offender) and two higher order types (Fair Adaptive Functioning Later Starter and Undersocialized Aggressive Early Starter). This typology may be useful to (1) identify those adolescents who are already violent delinquents and those who are at risk for becoming violent delinquents, (2) create effective matched treatment and prevention procedures, and (3) investigate etiologic mechanisms of criminal behavior.