¿Está mediada la gravedad delictiva y cronicidad de los delincuentes juveniles por la competencia cognitivo-comportamental?

Abstract

The correspondence between juvenile delinquency and cognitive-behavioural competence has been the subject of ongoing concern in the scientific literature. Developmental criminology and Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) models have associated offence severity and the chronicity of juvenile delinquency to the degree of cognitive-behavioural development. In terms of the juvenile justice system, delinquent behaviour is classified according to offence severity (violent vs. non-violent offences), and the type of offender (first-time offender vs. chronic offender). In order to assess the nexus between chronic delinquent behaviour and the degree of cognitivebehavioural competence, 283 juveniles serving custodial sentences, 139 for violent offences (71 first-time offenders and 68 reoffenders), and 144 for non-violent offences (77 reoffenders and 67 first-time offenders), were assessed in terms of cognitive (e.g., regulation emotional, self-concept, attribution of responsibility, problem-solving skills) and behavioural competence. The results revealed that offence severity was not mediated by the level of cognitive- behavioural competence, and chronic delinquency was linked to low levels of competence. The results are discussed in the light of juvenile delinquency treatment programmes and sentencing.