The Cross-Cultural Study concerning with the Differential Behavioral Classification (I Behavior Checklist)

Abstract

1. The importance of Differential Treatment for juvenile offenders, based on the idea of individual treatment, has been recognized in Japanese and American juvenile correctional institutions.

It’s essentially important for Differential Treatment to classify juvenile offenders from the viewpoint of diagnostic types to be treated.

In U.S.A., Differential Behavioral Classification of Juvenile offenders, made by H. Quay and L. Parsons in 1971, has been effectively utilized in R. F. Kennedy Youth Center as the foundation of Differential Treatment.

This study is to re-examine their Behavior Problem Checklist (BPCL), which is one of 3 measurements of the Classification, applied to Japanese juvenile offenders, for the 1st step to make a Cross-Cultural Comparative Study between Japan and U.S.A. about the Classification, and build up the Classification, suitable for Japanese juvenile offenders.

2. Ratings were obtained from the trained instructors and psychologists in Kobe Juvenile Detention & Classification Home and Harima Reformatory on a Japanese translation of the Behavior Problem Checklist about the behaviors of 150 institutionalized male delinquents.

The average age of the sample was 17.3 (SD=1.22) and the average I.Q. was 91.4 (SD=13.47).

3. Of the 55 items on the Checklist, 54 were noted as present in at least 10% but more than 90% of the cases.

These 54 items were intercorrelated, factor analyzed using R²as the communality estimate, and rotated to the varimax criterion.

Factor scores for each subject were then computed and these scores related to age and intelligence.

4. Six factors has eigenvalues ≧ 1 and accounted for 52% of the total variance.

Factor I is clearly the counterpart of the CP (Conduct Problem) dimension of the BPCL.

Of the 17 items of the BPCL which are measures of this dimension, 13 appear in this factor.

Factor II is equally representative of the PP (Personality Problem) dimension; of the 14 BPCL items indexing this dimension, 12 appear in Factor II. This factor also encompasses 4 BPCL items which are measures of the II (Immature-Inadequate) dimensions. So the behaviors as the syndrome of Personality Problem may be a little different in Japan from American juveniles.

Factor III contains 5 of the 6 BPCL items measuring the SD dimension in company with one CP and one II item.

Factor IIII contains a mixture of items from the BPCL, CP (5 items) PP (four items) II (one item) scales as well as 3 items which are not scored for any of the 4 dimensions.

While there is somewhat of an II “flavor” to this factor, it is not a clear counterpart of the II dimension so frequently identified in studies of American samples.

The dimension meant by this factor may be rater immatured, ege-weakened, “hysteroid” personality of delinquents.

Factor V loads only three items (drowsiness, sluggishness and truancy from school) all of which also load elsewhere.

Factor VI loads only two items (repetitive speech and incoherent speech) which are referred to in the BPCL Manual as items related to psychoticism.

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