NCJ Number
112664
Journal
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry Volume: 29 Issue: 1 Dated: (1988) Pages: 73-78
Date Published
1988
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Delinquent and nondelinquent girls were compared to examine the relationship between delinquency and masculine self-concept.
Abstract
Thirty delinquent girls were drawn from an assessment center near London, England. Thirty-five girls were sampled from a secondary school. A self-reported delinquency inventory confirmed a significant difference between the groups on the number of delinquency items reported. Ratings of self and ideal self were obtained to compare self-ideal discrepancy indices on stereotypically sex-related traits and traits which each subject selected as salient to making interpersonal judgments of women. Ratings were also made of best friend and mother to examine interpersonal as well as intrapersonal discrepancy indices. For stereotypic sex-role traits, discrepancy indices for the three comparisons (self-ideal, self-mother, self-best friends) revealed no differences between delinquents and nondelinquents. For personally selected traits, significant differences did appear for self-mother and self-best friend discrepancies. Compared to schoolgirls, delinquents were apparently more alienated not only from their mothers but also from best friends, supporting Hirschi's assertion that delinquency is associated with general failure in social relationships rather than specific psychological distance from the parents. 1 table, 33 references. (Author abstract modified)