NCJ Number
184126
Journal
Psychiatry, Psychology and Law Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: 2000 Pages: 89-96
Date Published
2000
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study took place in New South Wales, Australia, and examined the psychological impact of custody on 39 Aboriginal and 42 non-Aboriginal male adolescent offenders ages 12-18 years.
Abstract
The participants were from the New South Wales Department of Juvenile Justice. Assessment occurred through voluntary individual interviews. The research focused on anxiety, depression, hopelessness, locus of control, self-efficacy belief, and coping or problem beliefs. Results indicated that Aboriginal adolescents experienced a greater sense of anxiety about custody than did non-Aboriginal adolescents. The level of anxiety experienced appeared related to anxiety beliefs regarding their experience of custody and a significantly high level of negative beliefs about custody. Aboriginal adolescents also had poorer coping skills likened to lower self-efficacy and more external locus of control than did non-Aboriginal adolescents. Findings indicated a significant difference in the experience of custody between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal adolescents in both mood and coping. Findings also suggested the potential usefulness of developing culturally sensitive programs that assist in the reduction of anxiety and a more comprehensive induction and supervision process for Aboriginal adolescents in custody. Tables and 30 references (Author abstract modified)