Introduction

Excerpted from Antisocial and Violent Youth: Volume II.

Volume I of Antisocial and Violent Youth provided a review of the literature related to youth antisocial behaviour published in scientific journals from 1983 to 1997. This volume covers the period from 1997 to 2002. We were very gratified by the excellent reviews that the first volume earned, which have encouraged us to continue to provide in book format easy-to-read abstracts of the clinically relevant literature related to the subject of antisocial youth.

Our goal remains to promote evidence-based practice for professionals who work with youth who are antisocial. We realize that even with the best intentions it is not easy for professionals to keep abreast of the latest developments in the field. Research related to antisocial behaviour appears in over 70 professional journals. Most of the papers appearing in journals are written in technical language—readers need sophisticated knowledge in research methodology to understand it. Most professionals, childcare workers, social workers, probation officers and others in the field do not have the time or resources to benefit from the latest advances in the field. It was this realization that led to the publication of the newsletter Youth Update 20 years ago, providing abstracts, selected from journals, written in an easy-to-read format. Volume II, like Volume I, is a compilation of abstracts that appeared in Youth Update.

Each chapter is divided into sections according to a major line of study:

• characteristics and related issues
• etiology (causes)
• prevention
• treatment.

We believe that this volume includes most of the significant contributions made in the field in the last five years.

Jalal Shamsie, Joanne Lawrence, Carole Hood

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