NCJ Number
148016
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1994) Pages: 47-57
Date Published
1994
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The Tennessee Self Concept Scale (TSCS) was administered to 360 British male and female adolescents to examine subgroups of nondelinquent, unlabeled delinquent, and labeled delinquent youths in terms of their self-concept.
Abstract
The Self-Report Delinquency Scale was used to measure criminal and antisocial behaviors. The results supported the hypothesis that labeled delinquents would evaluate themselves more negatively than unlabeled delinquents. The unlabeled delinquents scored higher than the labeled delinquents on every measure except for the family self, on which both groups had similar scores. However, the unlabeled delinquents had a lower overall self-concept than the nondelinquents in terms of basic identity, worth as a family member, and moral worth and satisfaction with religion. However, they were similar in their levels of self acceptance, perception of their personal appearance, adequacy, and social interaction. While labeling does have some effect on self-concept, it is not the entire explanation since unlabeled delinquents had a lower self- concept than nondelinquents. 2 tables, 1 figure, and 27 references