Chronic self-destructive behavior in normative and delinquent adolescents.
The Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale (CSDS) and the Psychopathic Deviate and Hypomania scales of the MMPI were administered to 112 delinquent adolescents and to 141 high-school students. Both male and female delinquents reported significantly higher levels of chronic self-destructiveness. Significant positive correlations between the CSDS and the MMPI scales were found for all groups. The results indicate that delinquent males have high levels of chronic self-destructiveness attributable to these personality variables; however, other cultural variables may intervene. The results for delinquent females were similar to those of high-school males. Thus, these findings raise questions about societal influences and the definitions of delinquent behavior.
Dolin
I H
IH
Department of Educational Psychology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale 62901-4618.
Kelly
D B
DB
Beasley
T M
TM
D000293:Adolescent; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology*; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D010556:Personality Tests; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors