Parental temperament characteristics of juvenile delinquents

Abstract

Criminal behavior in children emerges as a result of a complex process. If the criminal behavior is repetitive and preventive interventions are not applied, it can also lead to the emergence of criminal behavior in adulthood. In our study, we aimed to compare the parental temperament characteristics of juvenile delinquents with those of non-offending children of similar age and gender. The study group included parents of 69 juvenile delinquents aged between 12 and 15, while the control group consisted of parents of 73 non-offending children of the same age range. Data was collected using a demographic information form prepared by researchers and the TEMPS-A (Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, San Diego Autoquestionnaire) Temperament Scale. The study group included 37 fathers and 32 mothers, while the control group included 40 fathers and 33 mothers. Parents in the study group had less education than those in the control group, and psychopathology was more common. The study group's parents experienced more legal issues on average. In comparison to the control group, fathers in the study group scored higher for cyclothymic temperament, hyperthymic temperament, and irritable temperament. Compared to the control group, mothers in the study group scored higher on all temperamental variables. The fathers' assessments of their depressive and anxious temperaments did not differ significantly. Fathers in the study group scored higher on the cyclothymic, hyperthymic, and irritable temperament scales. There was a considerable difference in the prevailing temperament type between the groups. Moms in the research group had significantly higher temperament scores than those in the control group.