Cross-national study on the attitude of normal and juvenile youngsters towards social limits

Abstract

For an early detection of youngsters with an increased risk of juvenile delinquency efforts are being directed to develop an instrument measuring the attitude of youngsters towards social limits. For this purpose a cross-national study on attitudes of normal youngsters has been conducted in eight different countries. The differences between nationalities proved to be moderate. In addition, cross-national research was also conducted on the attitudes of juvenile offenders. In spite of the effects of the different nationalities, it was possible to differentiate between normal youths and juvenile offenders on a cross-national level. The results will stimulate the development of an instrument that is useful for clinical assessment.