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Alienation: A Cause of Juvenile Delinquency

NCJ Number
124283
Journal
Adolescence Volume: 25 Issue: 98 Dated: (Summer 1990) Pages: 435-440
Author(s)
R L Calabrese; J Adams
Date Published
1990
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This research investigated differences in levels of alienation between incarcerated (n=157) and nonincarcerated (n=1318) adolescents. It was hypothesized that incarcerated adolescents would have significantly higher levels of isolation, normlessness, powerlessness, and total alienation than would nonincarcerated adolescents.
Abstract
The Dean Alienation Scale, a global measure of alienation, was administered to all subjects. Results indicated that incarcerated adolescents had significantly higher levels of total alienation, isolation, and powerlessness. Given the high rates of recidivism, these results suggest that the reduction of both alienation and rejection of societal norms should be a major component of rehabilitation programs for incarcerated juvenile delinquents. 23 references. (Publisher abstract)