NCJ Number
91831
Journal
Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 5 Dated: (1982) Pages: 47-51
Date Published
1982
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The study tests the hypothesis that abused children are likely to display some form of deviant behavior.
Abstract
Survey data were derived from 127 ninth graders in a public school and from 90 youths referred to the juvenile court of a nearby jurisdiction. The study instrument consists of a 33-item Likert-type delinquency self-report scale, questions about the occupation of respondents' fathers (to determine social class), and a 22-item self-report Likert-type measure of abuse victimization. Correlations are calculated between the delinquency scores and abuse subscales. Findings sustain the hypothesis that abuse victimization and delinquent behavior are related. Neglect and emotional abuse are correlated to all types of delinquency. Physical abuse, however, correlates only with offenses against persons and is only as strong a variable as neglect and emotional abuse when considered together with social class. It can be concluded that more attention should be devoted to the forms of child abuse more widespread but considered less contemptible than physical abuse. Five references and a table are supplied.