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Biomedical subjects

J P Kemph

Publications and source records attributed to J P Kemph.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

A comparison of youthful inmates who have committed violent versus nonviolent crimes.

The incidence of violent crimes committed by youthful offenders in the United States is increasing. In this report, 150 inmates in a prison for youths (ages 14 to 24 years) who were treated by a psychiatrist were compared with 150 control subjects on several parameters including those who had committed violent crimes (V) versus those who had committed nonviolent crimes (NV). There were more similarities than differences between those who had committed V versus NV crimes. There was no statistically significant difference between the V and NV groups in most diagnostic categories, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the IQ scale, the MMPI scores, job stability, and whether they were treated by a psychiatrist or not. There were, however, some significant differences. The V group was younger than the NV group; those with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia disorder had committed V crimes, while those with a diagnosis of dysthymic disorder had committed NV crimes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Description of an outpatient psychiatric population in a youthful offender's prison.

Prisons are receiving increased numbers of inmates with mental and emotional problems. This study describes some of the characteristics and treatment of such an outpatient population. It was determined that a typical patient is a white male, 19 years old, of average intelligence, with a sporadic work record and poor academic performance, who quits high school in his freshman year. He has a history of substance abuse and is likely to have a multidrug habit. He is likely to have had a traumatic childhood and had psychiatric treatment as a child or young adolescent, as well as having attended special classes in school and counseling for drug abuse. The great majority of patients were diagnosed as having either mood, adjustment, or psychotic disorders. All were treated with a psychotropic medication and case management and also with some type of accepted individual and/or group counseling. In this population, there is a high incidence of expression of aggression requiring medication and counseling with the patient's permission. Patients responded well to treatment, but usually requested to discontinue treatment when symptoms diminished. However, approximately half of them returned for medication when symptoms recurred.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Treatment of aggressive children with clonidine: results of an open pilot study.

Seventeen aggressive children (14 boys and 3 girls) aged 5 to 15 years, who were characterized by cruel behavior to others and destruction of property, entered an open pilot study using clonidine to evaluate its efficacy and safety and drug-induced changes in plasma gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). Aggression decreased in 15 children with minimal side effects. In five cases, GABA increased from 105.4 +/- 15.2 ng/mL at baseline to 125.2 +/- 10.8 ng/mL at follow-up (p < 0.01). A sixth patient was noncompliant. These findings suggest that GABA may be correlated with childhood aggressiveness and may be a useful marker of drug compliance. Pharmacotherapy with clonidine should be further assessed for the control of aggression.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

DSM-III diagnoses and offenses in committed female juvenile delinquents.

The relationship between juvenile delinquency and psychiatric disorders remains poorly understood. However, it is becoming more apparent that the spectrum of psychiatric illness present in juvenile delinquents is broader than once believed. Fifteen female juvenile delinquents committed to a residential treatment program were assessed for DSM-III diagnoses, using a structured diagnostic interview, the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents (DICA). A search of the literature revealed no other reports using the DICA in female juvenile delinquents. A broad spectrum of current and past diagnoses was discovered, including conduct disorder (100%), substance abuse/dependence (87%), major depression (67%), and anxiety disorders (47%). The average number of lifetime diagnoses per subject was 4.7; current diagnoses averaged 3.4 per subject. Additionally, criminal and status offense records were obtained for each subject. No significant relationship was noted between diagnoses and categories of offense. These results add further evidence for the presence of frequent and severe psychiatric disturbances in this population, and the need for increased clinical and research efforts by the psychiatric community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

DSM-III-R classification of murderous youth: help or hindrance?

Fourteen homicidal juveniles were evaluated through clinical interviews, review of police and delinquency records, and administration of the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents to investigate the presence of psychiatric disorders in homicidal juveniles and to examine the usefulness of DSM-III-R in this population. A wide range of DSM-III-R diagnoses were established, primarily in conjunction with conduct disorder. DSM-III-R diagnoses were also made in conjunction with mood disorders, psychoactive substance use/dependence disorders, anxiety disorders, and several other disorders, but no diagnoses of psychotic disorder could be made. The average number of lifetime prevalence diagnoses made per individual was 2.4, and 13 (93%) of the subjects met DSM-III-R criteria for at least one current diagnosis at the time of their homicidal behavior. These findings have potentially important treatment, prognostic, and forensic implications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Summer research program for medical students.

The decrease in the number of physician investigators is a serious national problem. Direct participation in research by medical students is widely regarded as a valuable component of medical education and as a stimulus to a career in research. A voluntary summer research program was implemented at the Medical College of Ohio at Toledo with student participation exceeding 20 percent for the classes entering in 1980 and 1981 and reaching 40 percent for the freshman class that entered in 1982. The research program was planned along with implementation of a new four-year curriculum. First-year students were encouraged to participate in research projects during the summer between their first and second year. Interested students were matched with faculty members by mutual agreement. An evaluation of the program based on publications and presentations by medical students and on responses of students and faculty members to a questionnaire was made.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗