Master of Arts (Applied Psychology)

This research study was mooted with the belief that criminal activity on the part of children and adolescents represents one of our most significant social issues. One of the most prominent manifestations is that children and adolescents constitute the primary focus of family life. This study attempted to find out the characteristics of a sample of 70 juvenile delinquents who are incarcerated at the Singapore Boys' Home for offences for theft, rioting and sex-related, such as, outrage of modesty and selling non-print pornographic materials.

The author used two instruments, the Risks and Needs Assessment Checklist which is used by the Singapore Boys' Home and a psychological test, the 16 Personality Factor Test for this study. It was found that 70% of the subjects had involved in smoking, consumption of drugs and alcohol, substance abuse, sexual behaviour and gangs. Generally most juvenile delinquents reported that their mother and father allowed them "to do what they want". Two contrasting types of parents' marital relationship reported by the delinquents were that their parents were "supportive of each other" and had "little verbal exchange, high conflict". Most subjects also reported that there were some disorganisations or stress at home. Parallel with this, majority of the subjects also revealed that they had connections with gangs and had friends who were also gang members. Interestingly, a great proportion of the juvenile delinquents were early school drop-outs as they had only seven to eight years of schooling. As compared to the theft offenders, the non-theft offenders obtained a slightly higher mean score on almost all the factors. A comparison between the rioters and non-rioters indicates that the rioters scored significantly higher for Factor Q1 (Radicalism) personality trait. As for the sex-related and non-sex-related offenders, no significant differences in personality were observed. Nevertheless, the sex-related offenders showed a slightly higher mean score on Factor G and Factor O. Generally all the offenders exhibited low self-control.

The findings of this study indicate several implications. Firstly, several agencies, namely, the schools, counselling centres and the law enforcement authorities need to work hand-in-hand to identify "at-risk" juveniles and cater programmes to suit their needs. Secondly, the importance of family dynamics have to be emphasized. Thirdly, it is important to do further research concerning which dimensions of personality are most strongly related to offences or antisocial behaviours and how they may contribute to the prevention and intervention of offenders. This may be useful for future rehabilitation policy formulation in Singapore.