NCJ Number
152968
Journal
Youth Studies Australia Volume: 13 Issue: 4 Dated: (Summer 1994) Pages: 40- 44
Date Published
1994
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on a communication needs analysis of young male adolescents in detention and older previous offenders on probation. Adolescents in detention are often typified as having low levels of literacy, communications and social skills.
Abstract
The study is an extension of a study on conflict resolution and causal attribution undertaken with 58 adolescent males in detention (15 to 18 years of age) and 38 males on probation (17 to 21 years of age). Respondents were asked to express their level of interest in learning more about four areas of communication: (1) how to ask adults for help without appearing stupid; (2) body language; (3) expressing anger to an adult in socially acceptable ways; and (4) how to accept blame. The responses lead the authors to recommend that young offenders should be involved in communication programs to improve their skills and effectiveness in interacting with people. The authors also urge further research to determine whether adolescents' poor communication is a predictor of offending behavior. References