NCJ Number
106870
Journal
Journal of Offender Counseling Services and Rehabilitation Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: (Spring 1983) Pages: 73-85
Date Published
1983
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The effects of a two-session juvenile awareness program were tested to decide the validity of the speculation that juvenile deterrence programs run by prison inmates may cause psychological harm in the delinquents they serve.
Abstract
A small sample of boys (28) in a residential treatment program for delinquents was used. Subscales of the Tennessee Self Concept Scale, Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis, and Levenson's locus of control scale were used. There was a pretest-posttest design to measure 13 traits thought to contribute to delinquent personality. Nine of the 13 hypotheses were confirmed. An analysis of covariance showed that internal locus of control had increased significantly. Chance expectation and social self-concept decreased significantly. The experimental groups had a significantly higher proportion of black subjects, more anxious and hostile than the normative sample. This study, though limited, indicates that male delinquents do not evince substantive or immediate insult to their personality structure as a direct result of participation in a juvenile awareness program, but the long-term effects of such programs on clients should be researched. 3 tables, 3 notes, and 27 bibliographical references. (Author abstract modified)