MMPI Scores of Juvenile Delinquents Adjusting to Institutionalization

Abstract

Discrimination of male juvenile delinquents who succeed from those who fail in adjustment to institutionalization was attempted by use of the MMPI. The criterion for success was receipt of a regular discharge whereas that for failure was an irregular discharge. A group of 21 boys who failed was compared to a randomly chosen group of 21 boys who succeeded. Age, IQ, and social class were similar for the groups. Tested was the hypothesis that the failure as compared to the success group would evince a significantly greater amount of psychopathology as measured by scales 6, 8, and 9 of the MMPI. The results lend partial support to the hypothesis and need replication.