NCJ Number
122504
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1989) Pages: 18-25
Date Published
1989
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Research involving a review of literature from Europe and North America and a series of studies using juvenile delinquents and nondelinquents in India was designed to develop an instrument for the prediction of juvenile delinquency among children and youth in school.
Abstract
A preliminary study of 60 incarcerated juvenile delinquents in New Delhi used a checklist focusing on early childhood experiences, school background, reasons for dropping out of school, family background, and other factors. The second phase of the research involved screening instruments from other countries. The researcher developed four categories of information: 1) family background, 2) emotionality, 3) sexual deviancy, and 4) social dependence or independence. A test of the instrument used 60 delinquents and 60 nondelinquents. A final inventory was then developed. It consisted of 115 items and was administered to 200 institutionalized delinquents and 200 nondelinquents from similar social, economic, family, and educational backgrounds. Validity tests included a 2-year followup study of extreme cases, tests of significance, correlations with teacher comments, and a point biserial test. Results indicated that those scoring above 64.5 are seriously in need of counseling, while those scoring below 41.6 are docile and socially conforming. Tables and 22 references.