Assessment of Antisocial Behaviour in the Juveniles

Background: high level of crime, particularly by the people below 18 years, has been a matter of concern for many years. assessing and preventing the antisocial behaviour in juveniles has become a policy priority.methods: a cross sectional study was conducted on 52 males less than 18 years in an observation home in bangalore, india. the data was collected in an interview by filling a semi structured questionnaire. revised wisconsin delinquency risk assessment scale (rwdras) was filled up simultaneously and then results were analysed.results: majority of the offenders were in the age group 16-18 years. in the majority the cause for antisocial behaviour was unknown followed by the family problems and poverty. the rwdras identified 47% of the juveniles with antisocial behaviour as low risk group.conclusion: the education, counselling and prevention of poverty are some of the preventive measures of antisocial behaviour. there is a need to develop a better criteria and scale for the diagnosis of antisocial behaviour as the presently used rwdras failed in 47% of the juveniles.