Examining neurological recovery mechanism among juvenile delinquents who have been exposed to serious child abuse

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25381318
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Special needs education
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Social Welfare
• Principal Investigator: Matsuura Naomi 東京福祉大学, 社会福祉学部, 教授 (20452518)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): TOMODA Akemi 福井大学, 子どものこころの発達研究センター, 教授 (80244135)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 少年非行 / 被虐待 / 発達障害 / 矯正教育

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the current study, we evaluated neurological changes among juvenile delinquents using MRI at the admission and leaving the facilities. Additionally, we evaluated their behavioral and psychological characteristics. That is, we examined the negative effects of experiencing child abuse and correctional educational effects in the facility. On comparison of Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) between admission and leaving the facility, we confirmed the significant improvements by using pair t-test. The mean score of IQ which was evaluated by WISC-4 was increased more than 20 points at the leaving the facility. Due to the small number sample of MRI evaluation, although significant changes were not confirmed, both hippocampus were increased and right amygdala was decreased. We hypothesized that volume in the particular brain regions were correlated with improvements of behavioral and psychological characteristics, so that we are going to analyses these data carefully.

Free Research Field

特別支援教育、発達障害、少年非行