The present study was intended to explore the correlation between juvenile delinquent behavior and their character, mood state and family dynamics. Data were collected through questionnaire survey. Subjects served for this study consisted of
1,838
adolescents including 601 juvenile delinquents and 1,237 adolescent students in Korea, sampled from Korean student population and adolescent delinquent population confined in juvenile correctional institutions, using nonprobability sampling
method.
Their age ranged between 12 and 21. The actual number of cases put into the analysis was 1,696 adolescents including 511 delinquents and 1,185 adolescent students. Data were analysed by IBM PC of Behavioral Science Center at the Korea University,
using
SAS program. Statistical methods employed were χ2 test, simple correlation, principal component analysis, principal component regression analysis and LISREL path analysis.
@ES The results of this study were as follows;
@EN 1. Inconsistent by parental child rearing patterns tended to affect delinquent behavior among delinquent adolescents. The more were paternal and maternal attitudes arbitrary, restricted, mistrusting their children and punishment-oriented,
the
higher occurred their children's delinquent behavior. On the other hand, adolescent students were consistently rearing by their parents, their parental attitudes were democratic, flexible, trusting their children and reward-oriented. In
comparison
of
both parents in the degree of influence on their children was revealed that paternal child rearing pattern was more influential on their children's behaviors than maternal's.
2. The psychological instability of family tended to be contributing to delinquent behaviors among delinquent adolescents. Coldness, dissatisfaction, discord, tenseness and disharmony of family psychological climate revealed significant
correlation
with delinquent behaviors. On the other hand, student's family stability was more comfortable than delinquent family.
3. The disharmonious parent-child relationships were presented to influence on delinquent behaviors and aggressive impulsiveness. Parental rejection toward their children's opinions, lack of affection toward their children, non-self-sacrificing
for
their children, alienated parent-child relationship, children's disregard toward their parental authority and children's rejection of parental opinions were positively correlated to behavioral problems among delinquent adolescents, while
harmonious
parent-child relationships among student adolescents were maintained.
4. The whole psychological climites of delinquent's family tended to be rigid, while student's psychological climates of family flexible.
5. Delinquents were more anxious, aggressive and impulsive than student adolescents. The exhibited some learning problems such as interpersonal difficulties. Their character patterns tended to be immature and weak ego functioning, while
student's
character patterns more mature and flexible.
6. The relative comparison of the whole psychological climates of family, anxiety trait, character pattern and social learning ability in terms of predictability revealed that character pattern variables function as the most important
determinant
of
both aggressive impulsiveness and delinquent(aggressive) behaviors.
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