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Alienation: a cause of juvenile delinquency
1Department of Educational Administration, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois 61920.
Adolescence
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Incarcerated adolescents experience higher levels of alienation, isolation, and powerlessness compared to their non-incarcerated peers. Reducing alienation is crucial for juvenile delinquency rehabilitation programs to lower recidivism rates.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Adolescent alienation is a significant concern, particularly within the justice system.
- Understanding the psychological state of incarcerated youth is vital for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare alienation levels between incarcerated and non-incarcerated adolescents.
- To identify specific dimensions of alienation more prevalent in incarcerated youth.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Dean Alienation Scale to measure alienation.
- Compared alienation scores between a group of incarcerated adolescents (n=157) and a larger group of non-incarcerated adolescents (n=1,318).
Main Results:
- Incarcerated adolescents reported significantly higher levels of total alienation.
- Elevated scores in isolation and powerlessness were observed in the incarcerated group.
- Normlessness did not significantly differ between the two groups.
Conclusions:
- Incarceration is associated with increased feelings of alienation, isolation, and powerlessness in adolescents.
- Rehabilitation programs should address alienation and societal norm rejection to reduce juvenile recidivism.
- Findings highlight the psychological impact of incarceration on adolescent development.