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Wutan H uatan Jisuan Jishu ISSN:1001-1749 Psychosocial profile of Juvenile Delinquents Sneha Mittal1*, Sanjay Kumar2, Sandeep Singh Rana3 1 Research Scholar, Department of Applied Psychology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, India. 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Applied...

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Psychosocial profile of Juvenile Delinquents Sneha Mittal Wutan Huatan Jishuan Jishu

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ISSN:1001-1749

Wutan H uatan Jisuan Jishu

Psychosocial profile of Juvenile Delinquents Sneha Mittal1*, Sanjay Kumar2, Sandeep Singh Rana3 1

Research Scholar, Department of Applied Psychology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, India. 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Psychology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, India. 3 Professor, Department of Applied Psychology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, India. *[email protected]

ABSTRACT The indulgence of the adolescent population in criminal acts has been increasing and is a very burning issue today. This study explores the temperamental and character traits along with psychosocial factors that might enhance criminal behavior among adolescents (juvenile delinquents). To examine the personality profile and social factors that may be responsible for the occurrence of criminal/offensive acts among Juvenile Delinquents. The sample included 35 juveniles recruited during their imprisonment in District Observation Home. The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) by Cloninger (1999) and a self-constructed psychosocial survey were administered. Results found that Novelty Seeking and Self Directedness have a significant negative and positive correlation with crime respectively while Self-Transcendence was non-significant.The psychosocial factors do play role in increasing offensive activities supporting the Nature versus Nurture concept works as competing factors in shaping the behavior outcome. Keywords Juvenile Delinquency, Temperament & Character.Psychosocial factors. 1.Introduction In the nation of largest population, it is unfortunate that the rate of adolescents getting involved in delinquency is increasing. It is a debatable issue whether the temperament ought to be attributed to these criminal acts and also social factors. Though personality traits can be attributed to offensive behavior [1]. As per nature versus nurture theory, both the temperament as well as environment play competitive role in shaping the decisions and actions of a person. Thus, it becomes necessary to explore the possible reasons behind such offensive behavior committed by adolescents. In the Indian Laws, boys and girls under age 16 and 18 respectively who are liable towards judiciary due to committing a crime are juvenile delinquent [2]. The rate of juvenile cases is rising every year with the involvement of boys more than girls [2]. Heinous crimes like Rape, Murder, Attempt to Murder, Sexual Harassment, Assault, Cheating, Robbery, Stalking, Kidnapping and Abduction Riots, Human Trafficking, Illegal trespass are not negligible by juveniles.

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Number of Cases … 40000 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Figure 1: Source: NCRB, 2018.[21]

In records of years from 2008 to 2018, the number of cases registered against juveniles in conflict with the law has shown a clear increase trend ranging from around 24,000 to above 30,000 cases. In the year 2018, the cases registered against juveniles are 31,591 [Indian Penal Code (IPC) + Special Acts and Local Laws (SLL) cases]. Temperament is the combination of emotion, activity level, and mood that in totality structures personality [3] while Ciccarelli& White (2015) explains temperament as innate behavioral aspects that cannot be learned[4]. Different personality theories suggest different ideas that may lead to the development of maladaptive temperament towards others. The psychodynamic perspective suggests that fixation occurs if the psychosexual needs are not properly gratified during their developmental stage. This fixation hampers the development of personality and triggers the maladaptive and abnormal patterns of behavior [5] while Alfred Adler describes the role of a child‟s birth order among his/her siblings on their behavior. According to him, the oldest child is most vulnerable to becoming drunkards, neurotics, and criminals if not brought up wisely and carefully by the parents [5]. He also adds that the way a person compensates for inferiority determines the style of life and future actions done by him. Another Psychoanalyst Carl Jung describes the grey behavior of a person as „Shadow self‟ which is a part of unconscious universal archetype which though cannot be identified directly by the person but in many instances directs the behavior [5]. Also in the view of Erik Erikson, that the virtue of fidelity resides somewhere in between „Identity‟ and „Role Conflict‟. Teenage is the promising stage of life when the activities can easily deviate from the accepted path if the child gets confused within himself regarding his identity, status, and role in society [6]. 2.Review of literature In a study associating the “Big Five” personality factors found that Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Neuroticism were significantly correlated with Interpersonal Violence and Vandalism while selfdiscipline was found to be predicting leading to vandalism [7]. Ruchkin et.al (1998) in their study found that Novelty Seeking, Harm Avoidance and Self-Transcendence were higher in delinquents [8]. Additionally, Harm Avoidance was higher in delinquents with a history of non-violent crimes and delinquents have more neuroticism and are less open to experience, conscientious and agreeable than normal adolescents [9].

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Many social factors like financial crisis [10], single-family [11], lack of etiquettes [12], drug consumption [13],locus of control [14], lack of education [15] as well as lower socioeconomic status [16] enhance the possibility of adolescents get involved in criminal acts. Researches also support that early job recruitment (tits and bits earning) and more working hours or intensive working underemployment during senior schooling days is also significantly and positively correlated with delinquent offenses [17]. Rathinabalan&Naaraayan (2017) found that factors in the family like the age, education, employment of parents, single parent or being single child, smoking, alcoholism, criminal behavior by parents play a vital role in increasing delinquent behave in the child and punitive parenthood worked as a protective factor [18]. The General Strain Theory states that strain or stress enhances hostility and annoyance which the person tries to decrease by taking steps in some illegal and criminal ways. Criminal activity can work as a catharsis to dissolve or reduce anxiety and frustration [19]. 3.Objectives 1. To examine the personality profile of Juvenile Delinquents involved in criminal /offensive acts. 2. To examine the social factors that may be responsible for the occurrence of criminal/offensive acts among Juvenile Delinquents. 4.Hypothesis 1. H01There is no relationship between personality profile and the occurrence of criminal acts among Juvenile delinquents. 2. H02 There is no relationship between social factors and the occurrence of criminal acts among Juvenile delinquents. 5.Methodology 5.1 Sample A sample of 35 Juvenile Delinquents who were recruited for the study using the purposive sampling technique. The subjects were taken from the Observation Home situated near Hisar city (Haryana) for data collection. 5.1.1 The inclusion criteria were: a)Juveniles who provided written consent b)Subjects aged between 14 to 17 years c)Literate subjects d)Physical healthy subjects 5.1.2 The exclusion criteria were: a)Juveniles who were uncooperative b) Subjects below 14 years and above 17 years of age c) Illiterate Subjects d)Physically unhealthy subjects. 5.2 Tools 1. Socio-demographic Profile: A self-prepared data sheet was used to gather the necessary information from respondents like Age, Education, Type of crime committed, Locus of Control, Stay time, the weapon used.

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2. Temperament and Character Inventory-R, (1999) - (TCI-R) developed by Robert Cloninger (1999) was applied. TCI comprises seven dimensions of personality as per Temperament and Character namely Novelty Seeking (NS), Harm Avoidance (HA), Reward Dependence (RD) and Persistence (PS) as temperament dimensions and Self-Directedness (SD), Cooperativeness (CO) and Self-Transcendence (ST) as characters Dimensions. 5.3 Procedure At first, permission was sought from the Superintendent of the Observation Home for recruiting the juveniles for the study. The juveniles were interviewed and the data were collected after obtaining consent. After scoring the SPSS 16 version was used to analyze the data. Frequency distribution, Descriptive statistics, Pearson‟s Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Linear Regression was applied on the data.

6. Results Table 1: Socio-demography of the subjects in terms of percent distribution. Variables

Juvenile Delinquents (N =35)

Percentage (%)

Age (years)

14

5.7% (2)

15

28.6% (10)

16

25.7% (9)

17

40% (14)

9th and above

51.5% (18)

10th and above

48.6% (17)

Hindu

85.7% (30)

Muslim

5.7% (2)

Sikh

8.6% (3)

Education

Religion

Table 2: Socio-demography of the subjects in terms of familial and social dimensions percent distribution.

Variables

Juvenile Delinquents (N =35)

Percentage (%)

Socio Economic Status

Low

17.1% (6)

Medium

77.1% (27)

High

5.7% (2)

No work

2.9% (1)

Farmer

28.6% (10)

Parent‟s Occupation

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Business

14.3% (5)

Professional

51.4 (18)

Single

22.9% (8)

Both

77.1% (27)

None

8.6% (3)

1-2

71.5% (25)

3-4

20% (7)

Nuclear

48.6% (17)

Joint

51.4% (18)

Below 1 Lakh

46% (16)

1-2 Lakh

28.7% (9)

Above 2 Lakh

25.9% (9)

Parenting Style

Siblings

Family type

Annual Income

Table 3: Socio-demography of the subjects in terms of criminal activity percent distribution. Variables

Juvenile Delinquents (N =35)

Percentage (%)

Stay time

1 month and below

45.9% (16)

2-6 months

48.9% (17)

6-12 months

5.8% (2)

More than 12 months

2.9% (1)

Theft

20% (7)

Murder

14.3% (5)

Rape

28.6% (10)

Beating

17.1% (6)

Kidnapping

8.6% (3)

Abuse

5.7% (2)

Attempt to Murder

5.7% (2)

Internal

48.6% (17)

External

51.4% (18)

Not Used

68.6% (24)

Used

31.5% (11)

Crime

Locus of Control Weapon

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Table 4: Sample Socio-demographic profile(N=35). Variable Age Education Stay time Crime Locus of Control Weapon Socio Economic Status Religion Occupation Parent Siblings Family type Annual Income Novelty Seeking (NS) Harm Avoidance (HA) Reward Dependence (RD)

Mean ±SD 16±0.97 9.51±1.66 81.40±94.73 3.2±1.71 1.51±0.5 0.74±1.23 1.89±0.47 1.23±0.59 2.18±0.96 1.77±0.42 1.63±0.97 1.51±0.5 1.8333e5±2.50673E5 15.6±5.02 15.6±4.84 14.1±3.48

Std. Er 0.164 0.080 0.072 16.013 (days) 0.289 0.212 0.000 0.282 0.101 0.166 0.086 0.000 42371.212 0.849 0.820 0.589

Persistence (PS) Self- Directedness (SD) Co-operativeness (CO) Self - Transcendence (ST)

5.46±4.79 24.69±5.53 26.31±5.29 18.29±5.23

0.309 0.936 0.894 0.886

Table 5: Correlation of Socio-demographic variables with temperament and character dimensions among juvenile delinquents (N=35). Variables Novelty Seeking Harm Avoidance Reward Dependence Persistence Self Directedness Cooperativeness Self Transcendence

Age -0.127 -0.013 0.340* 0.19 0.323 0.235 0.012

Crime -0.437** -0.113 0.094 0.171 0.442** 0.353* 0.256

Education 0.575** 0.064 0.154 -0.049 0.324 0.694** 0.023

Locus of Weapon Control Used -0.171 -0.068 0.151 0.158 -0.026 0.192 -0.153 -0.05 0.049 0.277 0.124 0.183 -0.212 0.071

* Correlation is significant at < 0.05 level (2-tailed) ** Correlation is significant at < 0.01 level (2-tailed)

A significant negative correlation between Crime and Novelty Seeking reveals that the tendency of creativity and curiosity for novel things is not present in people with criminal profiles, they tend to stay stubborn and demand the same pattern of life-style in all conditions. A significant positive correlation found between Crime and Self Directedness shows that criminal activity is carried out highly by the obedience of self-decision and direction.

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Table 6: Correlation of within TCI personality dimensions (N=35). Variables Novelty Seeking (NS) Harm Avoidance (HA)

NS 1 -0.099

HA

Reward Dependence(RD) Persistence (PS) Self Directedness (SD) Cooperativeness (CO) Self Transcendence (ST)

-0.064 -0.605** -0.509** -0.669** -0.247

0.039 -0.12 -0.37* -0.021 -0.082

RD

PS

SD

CO

ST

1 0.684** 0.108 0.301 0.264

1 0.094 0.006 0.148

1 0.548** 0.228

1 0.215

1

1

* Correlation is significant at < 0.05 level (2-tailed) ** Correlation is significant at < 0.01 level (2-tailed)

Multiple linear regression was calculated to predict Criminal Behavior (DV) based on their 13 dimensions (Age, locus of control, SES, Parents, occupation, family type, Novelty Seeking, Harm Avoidance, Reward Dependence, Persistence, Self Directedness, Cooperativeness, and Self Transcendence (IV), and also based on a non-significant regression equation was found (F1, 33) = 11.082 p < .002, with an R2 of .251. The selected variables do not significantly contribute to the prediction of criminal behavior of the selected sample. 7. Discussion Both the study hypothesis has been rejected. The significant negative correlation of Novelty Seeking and significant positive correlation of Self Directedness with crime supports that the temperament traits in adolescents can drive them for indulging in criminal activities partially similar to the findings of Ruchkin et al. (1998). Lack of Novelty Seeking suggests that juvenile delinquents tend to stay stubborn and do not look out for other ways of demand fulfillment.The positive correlation found between Crime and Self-Directedness inferences that delinquent adolescents stay self – directed and do not much obey others orders or advice rather fulfill their commitment to themselves. Education plays a very vital role in craving good morals in children as the educated juveniles were more Novelty Seeking and Cooperative than the non-educated ones. The inter-correlation found within temperament and characteristics namely Persistence, SelfDirectedness and Cooperativeness was negatively correlated with Novelty Seeking which suggests that delinquents do work for their benefit persistently as well as cooperatively if supported and the outcome is possible in return. The characteristic of being Harm Avoidant and Self-Transcendent is not significant against the findings of Ruchkin et al. (1998) indicating that juveniles are daring and lack moralistic attempts. Supporting the nature versus nurture theory of development, it can be said that if the environment around the child has vulnerabilities along with problematic temperament and personality profile, those children should be taken care of beforehand. 8. Conclusion Criminality among children has a relation with their personality profile as well as their upbringing and environment. Juveniles are Self-directed, Persistent, Reward Dependent as well as Cooperative but not Novelty Seekers. While the characteristic of being Harm Avoidant and Self-Transcendent is not significantly found in them. Lack of Novelty seeking behavior in children can convert the benefits of their positive temperaments like persistence, self-directedness as well as cooperativeness into destructive behavior in the long run and if only the novelty-seeking temperament is enhanced, these

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children can become highly constructive. For being creative a person needs to be self-directed, persistent as well as co-operative which is already present in the delinquents. Social and environmental factors do play a role in provoking the child towards crime. Children nearing teens should be guided very carefully along with cooperativeness to help them balance between the impulse of desires and permissible resources 9. Limitation and Future Directions The sample size was small due to the unavailability of subjects, the role of gender in criminal behavior has not been investigated and the inventory used was quite lengthy.Future investigations can be done with an increased sample size, the gender differences can be investigated in future researches and more precise tools should be administered in future studies. Acknowledgment The authors are highly thankful to Superintendent, Observation Home for granting permission to carry out the data collection. We are highly thankful to Mr. Mandeep Sharma (Student) for helping during the process of collection of data. Funding The study was funded by Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar, India. References [1] Krueger, R. F., Schmutte, P. S., Caspi, A., Moffitt, T. E., Campbell, K., & Silva, P. A. (1994). Personality traits are linked to crime among men and women: evidence from a birth cohort. Journal of abnormal psychology, 103(2), 328. [2]National Crime Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. (2015). Crime in India – 2015 Compendium.http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/crime%20in%20India%20Stati stics-2015.pdf. [3]Morgan, C.T., King, R.A., Weizs, J.R. & Schopler, J.(1999), Introduction to Psychology (7...