LEVEL OF ANXIETY IN YOUNG OFFENDERS COMMITTED TO A CLOSED EDUCA-TIONAL CENTRE

Abstract

This study analyses the level of anxiety (STAI) in a young of-fender population (n=57), committed to a closed educational centre, in re-lation to their social and demographical variables, and the characteristics of their internment process. Results reveal that 22.8% of young offenders has high levels of state anxiety, and 21.1% has high levels of trait anxiety. Moreover, the frequency of received calls (p=.038), visits (p=.019), and the prescription of psychopharmacs (p=.007) are related to state anxiety, whereas gender (p=.046), educational group (p=.002), and time since the date of internment (p=.013) associate to trait anxiety. In conclusion, young offenders have higher levels of anxiety than their peers, and the lack of bonds with referential people during internment increases the level of state anxiety significantly.