This paper evaluates and tests several theories of middle class delinquency. Arguments that middle-class boys are less delinquent and commit different kinds of delinquent acts than boys from other classes are not supported by the data. A modified version of social control theory is tested. (Author/AM)

Examined the relationship between personality traits and impairment experiences of 80 males who completed the California Psychological Inventory and an impairment scale. Results showed significant differences between the personality scores of impaired and unimpaired problem drinkers, suggesting that impairment aspects differ both in nature and…

Forensic patients are occupying an increasingly large number of beds in state psychiatric hospitals. The presence of these mentally ill offenders has raised concerns about the risk they present to nonforensic patients. This study compared the rate of assaults and factors associated with assaultive behavior among 308 nonforensic patients and two…

This study explored the impact of violence exposure on investment-model constructs within a sample of college women involved in heterosexual dating relationships. Results generally supported the "common sense" hypothesis, suggesting that violence negatively impacts satisfaction for and commitment to one's relationship and is positively associated…

Predictors associated with adolescents' initiation into three cumulative stages of drug use--hard liquor, marihuana, and other illicit drugs--were investigated. The strongest predictors were prior involvement in deviant behavior (hard liquor); peer influence, and adolescent beliefs and values (marihuana); and relationship to parents, and…

This study investigates the application of predictor variables identified by nine previous studies and by staff members of a family court and its psychiatric clinic to clinical predictions of dangerousness. The records of 122 juveniles were studied. No significant relationships were found. (Author)

Concurrent and longitudinal associations between risk factors and substance use for a sample of high school students were examined. Ten risk factors assessing important personal and social areas of life were defined. Among the findings was that the number of different risk factors was predictive of increases in use of all types of substances.…

Three demographic-structural variables ("principal wage earner,""size of family," and "ordinal position") are correlated with "drug use" in this study. Analysis of the data reveals weak relationships that are consistent with previous studies in the case of whites, but not for blacks. However, these demographic-structural variables which have been…

Compared incarcerated recidivists and nonrecidivists enrolled in a cognitive behavioral therapy program to judge treatment effectiveness as a function of offense. Results indicate that recidivism was a significant predictor of change in pre- and postindirect hostility measures. Significant personality differences emerged for the offender…

A prospective design was used to explore the precipitants of relapse in a naturalistic sample of pathological gamblers (N = 101) who had recently quit gambling. Relapse rates were high; only 8% were entirely free of gambling during the 12-month follow-up. Relapses were highly variable but occurred most frequently in the evening, when the person…

The authors investigated the predictive and incremental validity of the Early Assessment Risk List for boys (EARL-20B; Augimeri, Koegl, Webster, & Levene, 2001), a structured clinical checklist designed for the professional judgment of risk for aggressive and disruptive behaviors and risk/needs factor-based management of this risk. Seventy-six…

Hyperactive children appear to be at an increased risk for antisocial behavior in life. Follow-up studies using self-report and official criminal data have found that hyperactive children are more likely than controls to commit crimes, to be arrested for crimes, to be convicted of crimes, and to be diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder in…

This study attempts to identify the specific demographic and sociological characteristics related to improvement for 48 male alcoholic patients who participated in two contrasting one-month inpatient treatment programs. Of the 48 subjects, 27 participated in a broad spectrum behavior therapy program (experimental group). The remaining 21 subjects…

An increasingly important consideration in drug abuse policy and programming is the growing number of multiple substance abusers, i.e., problem-drinking drug addicts. A longitudinal study of two drug addict populations examined drug and alcohol usage, psychological variables, and criminal justice and employment indicators. Findings indicated that…

An alternative social psychological model of moral development, proposed by Robert Hogan, is assessed. Five character-trait dimensions of moral character (moral knowledge, socialization, empathy, autonomy, and ethical attitudes) were used to predict a measure of rule-breaking behavior. Results indicate some support for Hogan's model. (Author)