NCJ Number
130657
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 16 Issue: 3/4 Dated: (1991) Pages: 59-74
Date Published
1991
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale was administered to a sample of 243 institutionalized delinquent males and females to examine the relationship between delinquency and self-concept. The study also sought correlations between self-concept and months of confinement, age, and gender.
Abstract
The findings indicate that institutionalized delinquents compared to non-delinquents have abnormally low self-concepts in terms of their individuality and standings in society and their families. The study suggests that the subjects of the study have accepted their delinquent labeling and developed behaviors reflecting that identity. Females, young subjects, and subjects confined at least 13 months have the lowest self-concepts. Age and gender were the only significant predictors of total self-concept, while age was also correlated with perceived behavior, and gender predicted personal and family self scores. 4 tables and 27 references (Author abstract modified)