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. 2021 Feb;30(1):6-11.
Epub 2021 Feb 1.

Higher Levels of Nicotine Dependence in Adolescence are Associated with Younger Onset Age of Violent Criminality: A Follow-Up Study of Former Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatients

Joona Lantto  1 , Helinä Hakko  2 , Kaisa Riala  2 , Pirkko Riipinen  1   2
Affiliations

Higher Levels of Nicotine Dependence in Adolescence are Associated with Younger Onset Age of Violent Criminality: A Follow-Up Study of Former Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatients

Joona Lantto et al. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2021 Feb.

Abstract
in English, French

Objective: Earlier studies have reported that smoking is associated with violent behaviour. This study investigated nicotine dependence (ND), defined as already present in adolescence, and its relation to subsequent violent criminal offending.

Method: The baseline dataset is composed of 508 former adolescent inpatients, admitted to a psychiatric hospital between the ages of 13-17. Adolescent ND was assessed using the modified Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire. Follow-up data on crimes up to young adulthood was acquired from the Legal Register Centre of Finland. The study analyzes the participants with violent offences (n = 78) and those without any criminal history (n = 368).

Results: Over 80% of the violent offenders had ND already in adolescences. One third (32.2%) of those with high ND had committed their first violent crime before 18 years of age, the proportions being 15.2% in moderate and 7.1% in no-ND groups. The likelihood for committing first violent crimes at a younger age was increased in the participants with high (adjusted Hazard Ratio (aHR) = 2.66, p = .008) or moderate ND (aHR = 2.40, p = .011).

Conclusions: Adolescent psychiatric patients, showing moderate to high levels of addiction to nicotine, should be a target population for adolescent focused smoking cessation interventions and programs. Adolescents addicted to nicotine may benefit from intensive clinical attention in order to avoid more adverse and unfavorable outcomes in life, beyond merely physical health related problems.

Objectif: Les études précédentes ont rapporté que le tabagisme est associé au comportement violent. La présente étude a investigué la dépendance à la nicotine (DN), définie comme étant déjà présente à l’adolescence, et sa relation aux infractions criminelles violentes subséquentes.

Méthode: L’ensemble des données de base se compose de 508 anciens patients adolescents hospitalisés dans un hôpital psychiatrique entre 13 et 17 ans. La DN des adolescents a été évaluée à l’aide du questionnaire de tolérance Fagerström modifié. Les données de suivi sur les crimes jusqu’au jeune âge adulte ont été obtenues du centre de registre légal de Finlande. L’étude analyse les participants qui ont des infractions avec violence (n = 78) et ceux qui n’ont pas d’antécédents criminels (n = 368).

Résultats: Plus de 80 % des délinquants violents avaient la DN déjà à l’adolescence. Un tiers (32,2 %) de ceux ayant une DN élevée avaient commis leur premier crime violent avant l’âge de 18 ans, dans des proportions de 15,2 % chez les modérés et de 7,1 % chez les groupes sans DN. La probabilité de commettre les premiers crimes violents plus jeune était accrue chez les participants ayant (un rapport de risque ajusté (RRa) = 2,66, p = ,008) élevé ou une DN modérée (RRa = 2,40, p = ,011).

Conclusions: Les patients psychiatriques révélant des niveaux modérés à élevés de dépendance à la nicotine devraient constituer une population cible pour les interventions et les programmes de cessation du tabagisme axés sur les adolescents. Les adolescents dépendants à la nicotine peuvent bénéficier d’une attention clinique intensive afin d’éviter des résultats indésirables et défavorables dans la vie, au- delà des simples problèmes de santé physique.

Keywords: adolescent; age of violent offending; dépendance à la nicotine; nicotine dependence; patients psychiatriques hospitalisés; psychiatric inpatients; âge des infractions violentes.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest The authors have no financial relationships to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Adjusted estimates of age at first violent crime by level of nicotine dependence
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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