SPECIAL SECTION
VIOLENCE AND RELATED PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
Personality Traits in Juvenile Delinquents: Relation to Criminal Behavior and Recidivism

https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199903000-00011Get rights and content
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ABSTRACT

Objective

To examine the relation between personality traits and criminal behavior and to determine whether such factors are predictive of future recidivism.

Method

A sample of 481 incarcerated males (mean age = 16 years) completed questionnaires assessing distress and restraint relating to personality characteristics. In addition, official criminological data were gathered from subjects' records. A subsample of 148 juveniles was followed up to 4.5 years after release and examined for rearrests and time out of prison since last incarceration.

Results

Results indicate a significant association between selfreported levels of distress and restraint and prior criminal behavior as well as behavior during incarceration. Furthermore, of the sample surveyed, 67% were rearrested. Personality traits measured during incarceration were predictive of recidivism rates, above and beyond the effects of such criminological factors as age and number of prior offenses.

Conclusions

The results support the view that juvenile delinquents are a heterogeneous population in terms of personality features. These traits have discriminant and predictive validity. Adding personality measures to the assessment of delinquents may further our understanding of how personality influences criminal activity and future recidivism. We may be able to use this understanding to target specific domains of functioning to develop more effective intervention strategies.

Key Words

personality
distress
restraint
delinquents
recidivism

Cited by (0)

This paper was supported by grants to Dr. Steiner from the California Wellness Foundation and the Stanford Center for the Study of Children and Families. The authors also acknowledge the ongoing support of the California Youth Authority.