NCJ Number
218738
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior: An International Journal Volume: 34 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2007 Pages: 769-780
Date Published
June 2007
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study tested whether personality/clinical subtype could predict institutional maladjustment among serious male juvenile delinquents committed to a residential facility.
Abstract
The study results indicated that overall personality/clinical subtype could significantly predict the institutional maladjustment of serious male juvenile delinquents confined to a residential facility. Specifically, juveniles who rated as either psychopathic or impulsive/reactive exhibited poorer institutional adjustment as measured by the number of intensive supervision placements (ISP). Both of these groups exhibited elevated impulsivity and conduct problems and the impulsive/reactive group also presented with internalizing characteristics, including borderline personality, depression, and suicidal tendencies. The anxious/inhibited subtype, while not associated with increased numbers of ISPs, did exhibit problems with depression, negative self-views, and suicidal tendencies. The results offer support for including psychological variables in the assessment of institutional maladjustment among serious juvenile offenders. Future research should focus on exploring the utility of personality classification systems designed to predict institutional maladjustment. Data were drawn from the institutional files of 652 boys committed to a high-risk residential training school. Main variables under examination included institutional maladjustment, criminal history, and offender subgroup, which were derived through personality and clinical assessments. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stepwise regression models. Tables, references