NCJ Number
86942
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1981) Pages: 159-167
Date Published
1981
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated depressive symptomatology and suicidal behavior in a multiethnic sample of 48 delinquent females from a suburban San Francisco, Calif., probation department through ratings on self-reports and probation officers' reports.
Abstract
Psychological functioning of the subjects was also evaluated through the Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines, the Rorschach, and the WAIS or WISC-R in order to identify delinquent personality patterns. Four personality patterns were identified: the borderline, the antisocial, the neurotic, and the socialized delinquent personalities. A chi-square analysis of the data demonstrated that level of depression and frequency of suicidal behavior were both significantly related to personality patterns. Level of depression was also significantly related to ethnicity, but not to socioeconomic status. The results have implications for assessment and treatment of delinquent females and also raise issues concerning the interaction of personality, cultural factors, and delinquent behavior which should be addressed in future research. Study data and 23 references are included. (Author abstract modified)