Self Concept and Delinquency

The Tennessee Self Concept Scale was adminsitered to 243 insitutionalized delinquent males and females to determine (1) if there were significant differences between the self concepts of non-delinquents and confined delinquents and (2) if there are significant differences in the self concepts of the subjects according to months of institutional confinement, age, and sex. Analyses indicated that the subjects have abnormally lower self concepts than non-delinquents and that females and the youngest subjects have significantly lower self concepts than their male and older counter-parts. Subjects confined from 13 through 24 months are significantly more critical of themselves indicating a willingness to recognize what they perceive as negative attributes. Age and sex were the only significant predictors of Total Self Concept, and age was also a significant predictor of perceived Behavior. Sex was a significant predictor of Personal and Family Self scores. Scores indicated that most of the subjects held themselves in abnormally low regard as individuals, members of society and as family members. Overall scores further reveal a group who perceive that they are held in low esteem by others, as well.