Development of Instrument for Assessing Family Dynamic Environmental Function Related to Juvenile Delinquency

Kim, Hun Soo; Kim, Hyun Sil

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The importance of the family dynamic environment in the development and maintenance of delinquent behavior among adolescents is expanded by evidence that the childs problem behavior within the family generalizes to the delinquent behavior with peers in schools. Therefore, this study was done to develop an instrument for assessing family dynamic environment functioning related to juvenile delinquency.
METHODS
This study was a methodological research for developing a family dynamic environment scale related to juvenile delinquency. Through the relevant literature review and individual interview using open-ended questions with adolescents in school, outpatient basis and juvenile corrective institution, the authors developed pre-questionnaire with 50 items for measuring family dynamic environment functioning. Statistical methods employed were Cronbach's alpha and factor analysis for testing reliability and validity of this questionnaire and t-test for mean difference between students and delinquent adolescents, using SAS program. Subjects of this study consisted of 2,177 adolescents including 1,206 students and 971 delinquent adolescents selected by proportional stratified random sampling method.
RESULTS
1) Five stable factors were extracted and these contributed 50.3% of the variance in the total score. All 42 items loaded above .35 on each factor. 2) Factor I was named as family psychological climate (17 items), factor II as parent-child relationship (7 items), factor III as paternal parenting attitude (6 items), factor IV as family stability (7 items), and factor V as maternal parenting attitude (5 items). 3) Comparison of these 5 factors between student adolescents and delinquent adolescents showed that there was a significant difference in factor I [t=4.28 (student), -4.29 (delinquent), p=.0000], factor II [t=-8.61 (student), -8.86 (delinquent), p=.0001], factor III [t=-2.52 (student), -2.50 (delinquent), p=.0118], factor IV [t=-13.59 (student), -13.66 (delinquent), p=.0000], factor V [t=-4.18 (student), -4.16 (delinquent), p=.0000], and total score [t=-6.20 (student), -6.21 (delinquent), p=.0000]. 4) Cronbach's alpha coefficiency for internal consistency was .947 for total 42 items and .922, .807,. .815, .777 and .709 for each 5 factors of family dynamic environment factors related to delinquent behavior.
CONCLUSIONS
The authors concluded that this scale has a high validity and reliability for measuring family dynamic environment of the Korean adolescents. While high validity and reliability are essential parts for measuring instrument, other characteristics such as efficiency, simplicity, objectivity, comprehensibility, and others may also be important factors. Therefore, further study is needed for develop an ideal measuring instrument.