Multifactorial self-concept and delinquency in Australian adolescents

Self-concept is an integral part of identity development for adolescents. The present study was designed to test Australian adolescents self-evaluations regarding delinquent behaviors. The measures used (Self-Report Delinquency Scale [Mak, 1993] and Personal Descriptive Scale) successfully differentiated nondelinquents, noninstitutionalized delinquents, and institutionalized delinquents. The relative self-concept scores of the groups indicate that the more serious the delinquent behavior, the more negative the self-concept.