Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Since its publication the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach and Edelbrock, 1983) has been presented as a behavioral assessment helpful in distinguishing delinquency and emotional disturbance. This study investigated: 1) the capacity of this scale to profile the behavior of adolescent offenders; and 2) the relationship between the security of an individual's placement and the severity of their behavior. Statistical analysis of 244 behavioral ratings indicated the Checklist was successful in identifying behaviorally different subgroups of delinquent youth. The severity scores were not effective in differentiating the level of security to which the offenders were classified. The results are discussed in relation to both the treatment of individual youth and the adequacy of an agency's classification system.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Achenbach, T. and Edelbrock, C. (1983). Manualfor the Child Behavior Checklist. Burlington: University of Vermont.

Andrew, J. (1981). Delinquency: Correlating Variables. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 10. 136-140.

Baron, D. (1983). The Scoring System for the Child Behavior Checklist. Burlington: University of Vermont.

Cass, L. and Thomas, C. (1979). Childhood Pathology and Later Adjustment: The Question of Prediction. New York: Wiley and Sons.

Cowen, E. and Pederson, A. (1978). Long-term follow-up of early detected vulnerable children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 41. 438-446.

Cullen, F. and Gilbert, K. (1982). Reaffirming Rehabilitation. Cincinnati: Anderson Publishing Co.

Grosnick, J. and Huntze, S. (1980). National Needs Analysis in Behavior Disorders. Columbia: University of Missouri.

Hartstone, E. (1984). Turnstile Children-Mental Health Services for Juveniles. Corrections Today, 47, 64-69.

Hayes, L. and Johnson R. (1981). Confining Wayward Youth: Notes on the correctional management of juvenile delinquents. Juvenile and Family Court Journal, 32. 23-32.

10.

Jesness, C. (1972). The Jesness Behavior Checklist. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologist Press.

11.

Mann, D. (1976). Intervening With Convicted Serious Juvenile Offenders. (Grant No. 76-JN-99-007). Washington, D. C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

12.

Megargee, E. and Bohn, M. (1979). Classifying Criminal Offenders: A System Based on the MMPI. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications.

13.

Quay, H. (1977). Measuring Dimensions of Deviant Behavior: The Behavior Problem Checklist. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 5. 277-287.

The Effectiveness of the Child Behavior Checklist in Identifying the Behavioral Patterns and Security Requirements of Juvenile Offenders

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References