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Previous research has suggested that a strong relationship exists between early childhood abuse and later suicidal behavior. However, the process through which an abused child becomes suicidal in adolescence has not been examined. The present study attempted to identify a pathway in a sample of juvenile delinquents because they have been shown to be at an increased risk for suicide when compared to the general population. It was initially hypothesized that the use of avoidant coping strategies; a self-deprecatory attributional style; poor perceived social support; poor problem-solving appraisal; depression; hopelessness; and low self-esteem would be associated with suicidal ideation, subsequent to childhood abuse. However, this theory could not be examined due to methodological weaknesses encountered in the study. A similar yet more parsimonious theory was then devised, prior to analyses, based on links found in previous research between the variables that could be examined. It was hypothesized that childhood abuse and low social support would be related to later suicidal ideation via poor problem-solving appraisal and psychopathology in the form of depression, hopelessness, and low self-esteem. Different variations of this mediational theory were examined through the use of structural equation models. The sample employed in this study included two hundred adolescents incarcerated at juvenile detention centers in Virginia. All participants voluntarily completed 11 self-report measures which took approximately 1½ to 2 hours, while seated in their classroom at the juvenile detention center. The findings from the present study suggest that the relationship between childhood abuse and low social support, and suicidal ideation, is mediated by psychopathology and to a lesser extent, poor problem-solving appraisal. / Master of Science

This exploratory study designed to disclose new directions for further research and practice in the field of juvenile delinquency. By exploring through limited depth interview the attitudinal areas of authority, fear, aspirations for the future, obstacles to be overcome, capabilities, societal ideals and therapy the project attempted: (1) to elicit, from adjudged juvenile delinquents, information different from that usually sought by public societal agencies and (2) to evaluate the depth interview as a means of eliciting such material. Specific criteria were established for choosing fifteen interviewees , selected from three methods of dealing, with juvenile delinquency: probation, institutionalization and parole. Depth interviews were conducted in a laboratory setting with which the respondents were familiarized prior to the interview. Open-end questions allowed latitude for pursuing the boys' spontaneous responses. The degree of observer reliability was based on the use of standardized schedules on which each observer evaluated the responses of each interviewee. Conclusions which tended to substantiate prior findings were that generally these delinquents had a low self concept and had the most difficulty in interpersonal relationships. Although they saw their problems as being internal, they projected their troubles onto external factors. Noticeably minimal were identification with parent figures and ability to plan for the future. Further examination of the discrepancies between the delinquents' frames ot reference and those of the elements of society concerned with delinquency, and the current efficacy of social work techniques in treating the problems of delinquency were indicated. Findings of this study suggest that further research into all seven attitudinal areas would help to clarify the problems and treatment of juvenile delinquents.

The purpose of this study was to describe a sample of incarcerated juveniles with severe delinquency histories using variables selected from the MMPI-A, WISC-III, DVMI, WRAT-III, WJ-R, CPT, and WCST. The subjects were classified into subgroups using cluster analysis. The membership and profiles of the subgroups that were derived using MMPI variables were compared to the subgroups formed using variables from all domains and to previous school based diagnoses. Group membership did not correspond to school based diagnoses or with clusters formed with different sets of variables. The MMPI-A profiles were more interpretable if the clusters were formed with only MMPI-A variables.For the entire sample, these subjects were found to be about one standard deviation below the mean in Full Scale IQ, verbal expression, visual-motor integration, and academic achievement. They were near the mean of normative samples for receptive verbal language and ability to inhibit perseverative responses. Phonological processing was better than sight word reading, but not as good as reading comprehension. Executive functioning data supported the underactive cortex theory of psychopathy and favored Eysenck's (1977) hypothesis that this interferes with conditioning, but not Hare's (1970) inference of perseverative response patterns.Whether formed from variables from all domains or from MMPI-A domains only, the derived clusters resulted in a strong levels of performance effect with the best and worst performing groups in one domain functioning at a very similar level in the other domains. Groups in the moderate range were differentiated by a less well defined patternsof scores effect. / Department of Educational Psychology

Thesis (doctoral)--Freie Universität Berlin, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 245-256).

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references.

M.A. (Clinical Social Work) / This study is the result of the necessity for a social work juvenile programme for sentenced juveniles that is need-orientated. The researcher formulated the following objectives in order to reach the abovementioned goal: • to do a literature survey of the juvenile transgressor in order to form a better understanding of the sentenced juvenile. • to identify the distinctive needs of sentenced juveniles by means of a needs evaluation. • to develop a need-orientated social work juvenile programme. • to present above-mentioned social work juvenile programme to sentenced juveniles. • to evaluate the social functioning of sentenced juveniles who attended the programme by means of pre- and post measurement. In meeting the challenge to develop a technological item the researcher used the Developmental Research and Utilization Model of Edwin Thomas 1981. A social work juvenile programme for sentenced juveniles has been developed as a technological item by means of this research project. Chapter one is devoted to the problem statement. motivation for study. Formulation of the goal research design and the description of concepts. Chapter two comprises of the application of the analytical phase of the research study within the framework of the developmental research and utilisation model of E. Thomas 1981. Chapter three deals with the technological development of the social work juvenile programme and in chapter four the whole programme is evaluated. Chapter five contains the inferences made and the recommendations of the research project. During evaluation of the programme the study shows that there is no significant statistical difference between the pre- and post test counts of the satisfaction and synthesis scales, as measured by means of the Heimler scale. However. there is a significant statistical difference between the pre - and post test count of the frustration scale. The technological item developed during this study, i.e. a need-orientated social work juvenile programme for sentenced prisoners, contributed to the development of social work technology.