TENDENCY TO SOCIALLY DANGEROUS ACTS AMONG PSYCHOLOGICALLY DISTURBED ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH

Abstract

The article provides information on a research study conducted to investigate the characteristics of antisocial behavior, the execution of socially dangerous acts, and the specific features of psychological disorders prevalent among psychologically disturbed adolescents and youth in Azerbaijan over the past 20 years. The research aimed to explore the criminal responsibility and sentencing possibilities for psychologically disturbed youth. A total of 363 criminal cases involving 339 psychologically disturbed adolescents were examined. The results of the investigation revealed a slight increase in the inclination of psychologically disturbed children and adolescents to commit crimes in recent years. It was noted that among psychologically disturbed youth aged 16 to 18, those under 16 were more likely to commit crimes. Individuals with intellectual disabilities predominated among those who committed crimes. It was also found that crimes against property accounted for the majority (47.4%) of offenses committed by psychologically disturbed youth. The study revealed that 73.3% of the individuals were in a conscious state when committing the crimes, and 8.7% had a history of repeated offenses during this age period. Additionally, 45.2% of psychologically disturbed youth had experienced a worsening of pathological psychiatric conditions leading to incarceration or imprisonment.