Personality patterns of delinquent females: Ethnic and sociocultural variations

Abstract

Identified personality patterns of delinquent females and determined the relationship of ethnicity and socioeconomic status to delinquent personality patterns. A sample of 48 white, black and Hispanic adjudicated delinquents, aged 13–18, of three SES levels, was obtained from a suburban Bay Area probation department. Ss were administered the Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines, the Rorschach and the WAIS or WISC-R. Analysis of test profiles revealed four “personality patterns:” Borderline (N = 7), antisocial (N = 14), neurotic (N = 18) and socialized delinquent (N = 9). Personality patterns differed significantly among ethnic and SES groups. White delinquents were more likely to be neurotic than blacks or Hispanics. Middle-class delinquents were more likely to be neurotic than lower-class delinquents. Implications of the results are discussed in terms of the assessment and treatment of female delinquents, particularly the need to match treatment interventions to specific delinquent personality patterns.