Determinants of Delinquency in Female West Indian Migrants

A sample of young West Indian females were interviewed whilst being on remand for petty offences. Most were suffering from adjustment reactions of adolescence, a half had previously been convicted and a third gave a history of parasuicide. On investigation, it was found that there had been a characteristic pattern of multiple separation experiences, which had been closely related to the onset of early symptoms of maladjustment, with subsequent delinquency. As this pattern of separation experiences is not found among delinquents in the West Indies, this should indicate that such pathogenic experiences may be related to residence in the new environment in Britain. Early pregnancy may constitute a further separation experience, which may also be stressful in vulnerable individuals.