. Neuropsychological Aspects and Drug Use in Adolescent Offenders: a Systematic Review

a Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: the behavior of conflict with the law engendered by adolescents is a characteristic of great social impact that needs to be approached interdisciplinary, considering it in the biopsychosocial context of human development. The study of this topic characterizes the need to understand, through neuropsychological assessment, the expressions of self-control and their potential regarding the rehabilitation and social inclusion of these individuals. Considering the theme to be important, based on neuropsychology, we sought to review and describe the variables: executive function, anger, impulsivity, psychopathic traits and drug use in studies with adolescents deprived of liberty due to criminal offences. Method: PRISMA was used and the searches took place in the following databases: Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science and Scielo, totaling 44 articles. Results: the evidence indicated relationships between high traits of psychopathy with high anger and low inhibitory control, with or without drug use, present in violent behavior outcomes. Conclusion: the presence of a relationship between scientific variations and these with the infraction characterized them as important in the neuropsychological description of adolescents. Context this indicates the need to update empirical data on the prevalence of drug use and executive functions. Which, together with other neuropsychological and psychosocial aspects, are considered for neuropsychological disciplines with adolescents in conflict with the law deprived of liberty in socio-educational institutions.