INTERRELATIONS BETWEEN TEMPERAMENT, CHARACTER, AND PARENTAL REARING IN MALE DELINQUENT ADOLESCENTS IN NORTHERN RUSSIA

A comparison between 192 male delinquent adolescents and 121 controls from Northern Russia using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TC I) and Own Memories of Parental Rearing (EMBU) questionnaire on percei ved parental rearing showed significant differences. The delinquent gr oup had a higher level of Novelty Seeking, Harm Avoidance, and Self-tr anscendence, and also scored lower on Self-directedness. Delinquents w ho committed nonviolent crimes (thefts) appeared to have a higher leve l of Harm Avoidance compared with those who committed violent crimes ( hooliganism, robbery, rape, and murder). As concerns perceived parenta l rearing practices, delinquents experienced more parental rejection a nd overprotection. Most of the personality dimensions were found to be highly correlated with the level of parental emotional warmth. Furthe rmore, both temperament traits and maternal rearing practices predicte d the development of character dimensions. Findings are discussed in l ight of the interactive nature of parent-child relationships and of ch aracter development. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Company.