Understanding the nature of ADHD and the vulnerability of those with the condition who fall foul of the criminal justice system
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are highly overrepresented in criminal offender populations. Those with ADHD present with problematic and excessive levels of inattention, and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity. It is generally accepted that self-control difficulty is a core vulnerability for those with ADHD. A lack of appropriate self-control has long been recognised across disciplines to be an important influencing factor on the commission of crime. Historically, the occurrence of pervasively low-self-control within an individual has been seen to be principally influenced by social and environmental factors. Up-to-date research and understanding, however, shows that variability in self-control is heavily biologically/genetically derived. This article offers an integrated medical paediatric, psychological, and criminological perspective on ADHD and its impact on criminal justice outcomes. We argue that crime prevention and/or ADHD symptom management strategies that have been ignorant of this understanding are inadequate and may have unintentionally worked to the detriment of those with ADHD. We propose that a more comprehensive and applied understanding as to the origins of pervasive self-control difficulties in policy and practice is necessary to reduce the overrepresentation of those with ADHD in criminal and youth justice offender populations.
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Volume
36
ISBN/ISSN
2202-4824
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Issue
2
Pages Count
21
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Publisher
Bond University
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DOI
10.53300/001c.122031