J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2005 May;44(3):350-356.

The Effect of Temperament on Juvenile Delinquent Behavior

• Yang JW
• Noh IS
• Hong S
• Kim JH

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of the temperament and character of juvenile delinquents, and to explore the effect of those factors on juvenile delinquent behavior.
METHODS
128 male and 29 female juvenile delinquents on probation, and 66 male and 69 female students in the 10th and the 11th grade, completed Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI), anxiety, depression scales and Latent Delinquency Questionnaire.
RESULTS
Male juvenile delinquents showed significantly higher 'novelty seeking', and lower 'harm avoidance' and 'persistence' in JTCI subscales, compared to normal control group. Stepwise multiple-regression analysis showed that 'novelty seeking' and 'harm avoidance' were significantly predicting juvenile delinquent behavior. In the case of the female adolescents, delinquent group was significantly lower 'harm avoidance' than normal groups, and stepwise multiple regression analysis showed 'self-transcendence' was the only significant predicting variable for juvenile delinquent behavior.
CONCLUSION
Based on the results, temperament was related to the juvenile delinquent behavior especially for male delinquent adolescents.

Keyword

Juvenile delinquency; Delinquent behavior; Temperament; Emotion

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Anxiety
Depression
Female
Humans
Juvenile Delinquency
Male
Surveys and Questionnaires
Temperament*
Weights and Measures