NCJ Number
101032
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 37 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1985-1986) Pages: 39-47
Date Published
1986
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This report presents results of a 3-month study of the self images of 50 male juveniles confined in Georgia maximum- and minimum-security youth development centers.
Abstract
Subjects were institutionalized between October 1984 and January 1985. Each was administered Rosenberg's (1965) Self Concept Scale and the Self Concept Semantic Differential Scale upon entry and 3 months later. Official records provided data on each subject's reading level, math proficiency, general intelligence, number of past arrests, familial organization, age, and number of siblings. Scale scores were correlated with legalistic and demographic data. There was no relationship between changes in self-image indexes 3 months after confinement and family organization, race, institution, academic proficiency, number of past arrests, and number of siblings. The subjects did not move toward negative self-images after 3 months of incarceration. Self image may derive from compliance with the rules of the institutions and therapeutic relationships with staff. 22 references and tabular data.