Relationships between Temperament and Character Dimensions, Family Environmental Factors and Antisocial Personality Traits in Detained Delinquent Adolescents

Chung, Sun Ju; Suh, Dong Hyuck; Hahm, Bong Jin; Cho, Sung Jin; Han, Chang Hwan; Lyoo, In Kyoon; Hong, Kang E

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships between temperament and character dimensions and family environments, and to investigate the influences of those factors on the antisocial personality traits in delinquent adolescents.
METHODS
The subjects consisted of 160 male adolescents detained at the public prosecutor's office on the suspicion of crimes. To assess personality dimensions and family environmental factors, the Temperament and Character Inventory(TCI) and the Family Environment Scale(FES) were completed. Antisocial personality traits were assessed by the number of antisocial personality disorder symptoms of the Personality Disorder Questionnaire-Revised.
RESULTS
Most of the TCI dimensions except Reward Dependence(RD) were highly correlated with the subscales of FES. Among temperament dimensions, Novelty Seeking(NS) and Persistence(P) were significantly affected by Organization, and Harm Avoidance(HA) was influenced by Expressiveness of FES. Self-Directednss(SD) was best predicted by Organization and Achievement-Orientation. While the Independence had significant effect on Cooperativeness, Expressiveness and Achievement-Orientation best predicted the level of Self-Transcendence(ST). On factor analysis, NS, HA, SD and ST were allocated to the same factors with subscales of FES. The level of antisocial personality trait was best predicted by NS, P and SD scores of TCI, and conflict subscale scores of FES.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study suggest that not only the character dimensions but also the temperament dimensions have close relationships with family environmental factors, and that the antisocial personality traits of delinquent adolescents may developed by the interaction between temperament/character dimensions and family environments.