AN EXPLORATION OF THE DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIAL CORRELATES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR AMONG ADOLESCENT MALES

Purpose: This paper describes an investigation into the demographic an d sociologic characteristics of male adolescent ages 15-18 years in a youth detention center as a result of delinquent behaviors. The intent of the study was to determine which characteristics were correlated w ith a high severity of criminal behaviors. Methods: A descriptive surv ey research design was used with self-scored questionnaires distribute d to 201 adolescent males in a youth detention center in a metropolita n southeastern city with a population of 907,000. Subgroups were creat ed based on the severity of crime committed and whether or not the ado lescent was a gang member. Chi-square and Student's t-tests were used to examine differences in the demographic and sociologic characteristi cs of subgroups. Results: When demographic and social characteristics were assessed, adolescents who reported committing more serious crimes also reported more problem behaviors (p = .001) than those who commit ted less serious crimes. Adolescents who reported a higher number of a rrests also reported more school, social, personal, and family problem s. Those who were gang members reported more school problems, were arr ested more often, and committed more serious crimes than nongang membe rs. Conclusions: Given the current emphasis on prevention, findings fr om this study indicate intervention programs must be directed at a com bination of demographic and sociologic risk factors. Exploration of wh ether gang membership might be used for constructive purposes is justi fied.