2021 Volume 58 Issue 2 Pages 35-49
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether implementing an emotional learning program decreased scores for autistic traits, alexithymia traits, and aggressiveness in juvenile delinquents. Furthermore, in this study, we examined whether the effect of the program would continue until the time of leaving the juvenile school. The participants were 80 juvenile delinquent boys who attended the emotional learning program, of which 42 leaved the juvenile school. Their autistic traits were measured using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, alexithymia traits were determined using the Alexithymia Scale for Adolescence, and aggressiveness was measured using the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. As a result of analysis, juvenile delinquent boys with autistic and alexithymia traits showed a significant decrease in difficulty describing feelings related to alexithymia and anger related to aggressiveness. Additionally, juvenile delinquent boys with autistic traits showed a significant decrease in social skill related to autism. Furthermore, juvenile delinquent boys with alexithymia traits showed a significant decrease in total scores for alexithymia, and total scores for aggressiveness. In addition, juvenile delinquent boys with no traits showed all traits were no significant. On the other hand, as a result of investigating whether the effect of the emotional learning program would continue until the time of leaving the juvenile school, all features that were reduced by the program remained reduced. Therefore, the emotional learning program is that brings a certain educational effect to delinquent boys with autistic traits and alexithymia traits.
