NCJ Number
130339
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1991) Pages: 195-201
Date Published
1991
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The relationship between juvenile delinquent personality subtypes and stimulation seeking and the history of hyperactivity is examined in 28 male delinquents incarcerated in north central Florida.
Abstract
On the basis of the Personal Opinion Survey (POS), the delinquents were classified into three personality types: psychopathic delinquent, socialized-subcultural delinquent, and neurotic delinquent. In addition each subject completed the Sensation-Seeking Scale (SSS) and a demographic questionnaire. Mothers of the incarcerated delinquents were contacted to respond to the Conners Parents Rating Scale regarding a Hyperactivity Index and five other factors: conduct problems, learning problems, psychosomatic, impulsive-hyperactive, and anxiety prior to their sons' 10th birthday. There was no significant relationship between personality types and sensation seeking. However, a positive relationship was found between the raw scores on the POS, Psychopathic scale, the Hyperactivity Index, and the learning problems scale on the Conners test. This is the first study to report a relationship between hyperactivity/impulsivity and a delinquent personality subtype. It can serve as a preliminary step toward elucidating the relationship among delinquent personalities, hyperactivity, learning problems, and sensation seeking. 1 table and 16 references (Author abstract modified)