Are juvenile offenders psychologically different from juvenile criminals? A preliminary investigation

To better serve the best interests of minors, there is a growing consensus on the need for differentiated correction approaches for juvenile offenders based on their classifications. To implement these tailored interventions, it is essential to examine the psychological differences among various subgroups of juvenile offenders. Particular attention should be given to the distinctions between those undergoing correctional supervision and those serving sentences in different institutional settings. Additionally, whether it is the consensual understanding that affirms the subtle relationship between the psychological organism and environmental factors, or the legal provisions of various countries, a hypothesis seems to be implied: that juvenile offenders and juvenile criminals, who are separately housed or corrected in different environments, exhibit certain psychological differences. This study was designed to test this hypothesis.

To test this hypothesis, the present study utilized a cross-sectional survey design. We employed convenience sampling to administer a questionnaire to 178 juvenile offenders from specialized educational institutions in J Province, China, and to 303 juvenile criminals from local detention centers for comparison.

Data analysis showed the following findings: (1) juvenile offenders scored significantly lower than juvenile criminals on belief in a just world-including total score, general belief, and personal belief. (2) No significant difference was found between the two groups in self-control. (3) Regarding empathy, juvenile offenders scored significantly lower on affective empathy than juvenile criminals, but no significant differences were found in total empathy or cognitive empathy. (4) Female juvenile offenders reported lower personal belief in a just world but higher affective empathy than their male counterparts.

Compared with juvenile criminals, juvenile offenders do not show a significantly lower risk in delinquent acts, continued follow-up on their psychological status remaining essential.