Personality traits in juvenile maladjustment

The aim of this study was to establish the role of some personality traits, measured by psychological tests, in minors and adolescents experiencing problems in their social integration. We studied 189 subjects (110 male, 79 female) ranging in age from 11 to 18 years. All the subjects were from centers under the administration of the juvenile court of Murcia, Spain. Each subject underwent individual clinical psychological examination as well as psychometric and psychological studies. Our results show a statistically significant association between the scores on some of the tests used and variables related to familial and social maladjustment. These personality traits define a set of individuals with a characteristic profile, for whom unfavorable biographical events have made integration in, and adaptation to, the established social milieu difficult.