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Multifactorial self-concept and delinquency in Australian adolescents
1Department of Justice Queensland, Australia. kslevy@jag.qld.gov.au
The Journal of Social Psychology
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Adolescent self-concept is linked to identity. This study found that more serious delinquent behaviors correlate with a more negative self-concept in Australian youth.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Development
- Criminology
Background:
- Self-concept is crucial for adolescent identity formation.
- Understanding self-evaluations in relation to delinquent behavior is important for developmental psychology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine Australian adolescents' self-evaluations concerning delinquent behaviors.
- To investigate the relationship between the severity of delinquent actions and self-concept.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Self-Report Delinquency Scale (Mak, 1993) and the Personal Descriptive Scale.
- Compared self-concept scores across three groups: nondelinquents, noninstitutionalized delinquents, and institutionalized delinquents.
Main Results:
- The chosen measures effectively distinguished between the different delinquent groups.
- A significant negative correlation was observed between the seriousness of delinquent behavior and self-concept scores.
Conclusions:
- The severity of delinquent behavior is inversely related to an adolescent's self-concept.
- Findings highlight the impact of delinquency on adolescent psychological well-being and identity.