A Study on Parent-Child Relationship, Ego Identity and Expression of Aggression in Juvenile Delinquents

The alarming escalation in youth crime has become a major impediment to the well being of society. Though, literature reveals importance of bio-psycho-social factors, yet specific studies comparing juvenile delinquents’ varied psychopathology with that of normal children is still scarce in Indian context. Hence, to probe further, the present study was done by following a matched group design. Purposive sampling was used to take a sample of thirty (15 juvenile delinquents and 15 normal controls without any OTHER behavioUral problems) between 9 to 13 years of age. A specially designed Socio demographic data sheet was given to both groups, Child Behaviour Questionnaire (CBQ) was used as a screening tool for selection of control group, children's perception of parents was assessed by using Parent Child Relationship Scale (PCRS), ego-identity was assessed by Ego-identity Scale and lastly aggression was evaluated by Rosenzweig Picture Frustration Test. The mean values, standard deviation and students-t test was used. Results indicated that the juvenile delinquents perceived their parents more negatively than control group. Although no significant difference was found between the two groups in dimension of egoidentity, however mean scores of normal children were comparatively higher. Also, they had significantly low ego-defense and impunitiveness but significantly higher need persistence. This indicates that low ego defense and impunitiveness, high need-persistence, coupled with poor ego-identity and negative perception of parents, might predispose juvenile delinquents act more impulsively on their needs and commit acts against law.