Classification of Adolescent Offenders with the MMPI: An Extension and Cross-Validation of the Megargee Typology

Abstract

In order to determine how well Megargee's MMPI-based system for classifying adult offenders could be extended to a population of male juvenile delinquents, a sample of 251 adolescent offenders was obtained. The sample consisted of all adjudicated male delinquents aged twelve to fifteen admitted to a state training school within an eight month period of time. Ninety-four percent of this sample was classified into the ten types of offenders using this computerized MMPI-based system. The distribution of the types differed from that obtained by Megargee and Bohn with adults, however, and the distribution differed when adolescent norms were used as opposed to adult norms. Similarities and differences between the results of the current study and previous research findings were discussed, and it was concluded that the Megargee typology can be applied to an adolescent population, although some adjustments should be made. Implications of using this typology as an internal management and diagnostic classification system for adolescent offenders are discussed, as are suggestions for future investigations.

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