NCJ Number
163034
Journal
Reports of the National Research Institute of Police Science Volume: 36 Issue: 2 Dated: (December 1995) Pages: 80-81
Date Published
1995
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This study examined the characteristics of delinquent behavior among youth in today's Japan, using measuring instruments similar to those used in European and American studies.
Abstract
The self-report instrument used in the study consisted of 19 items that queried the subjects on delinquent and related behavior. Specifically, the questionnaire focused on whether the subject had ever experienced the item, school grades at the time of the first experience, and the approximate number of times a subject experienced the item in a 1-year period immediately preceding the survey. This report addresses the first part of the study and focuses primarily on descriptive analyses of the prevalence of self-reported deviant behavior. The behaviors having the highest frequency rates were bullying (38.7 percent among males and 48.1 percent among females); drinking alcoholic beverages without parents' knowledge (37.9 percent among males and 36 percent among females); and spending money or taking other belongings of the family without permission (40.8 percent among males and 32.8 percent among females). Among acts that violate the law, shoplifting was the most widespread (26.4 percent among males and 18.7 percent among females). The 1-year prevalence rates of such behaviors as assault resulting in injury and bullying tended to decline with the subjects' school grades; whereas, the 1-year prevalence rates of driving without a license, drinking alcoholic beverages without parents' knowledge, running away from school, smoking tobacco, and staying away from home without notice increased with school grades. (English summary modified)