NCJ Number
181481
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 44 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2000 Pages: 22-32
Date Published
February 2000
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined the differential effects of imprisonment and probation on self-esteem in a sample of 50 substance-abusing juvenile offenders.
Abstract
The subjects had been convicted of crimes that ranged from possession and distribution of narcotics to weapon possession. Participants were group-administered the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory--Second Edition and the Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventory. Findings provide support for the hypothesis that positive reinforcement gained from individual and group counseling, as well as negative reinforcement received in the form of suspension of a prison sentence, is associated with a significant decrease in drug and alcohol use. On the self-esteem measure, the groups were significantly different in their ratings of social self-esteem. Contrary to the study's hypothesis, the incarcerated group rated themselves significantly higher on a scale that measured the aspect of self-esteem that refers to an individual's perception of the quality of his/her relationship with peers. On a scale that provides additional predictive power regarding the likelihood of recidivism, the incarcerated group scored significantly higher. Thus, after receiving treatment, the probation group was more likely to adopt views consistent with law-abiding behavior. The authors discuss theories that may help to explain these findings. 3 tables and 21 references