Frustration Potential of Delinquent Adolescents

Abstract

Aims: To identify the magnitude of different modes and global frustration, to find out the effect of domicile on level of frustration of delinquent adolescents and normal adolescents. Study Design: Present one was a comparative study to assess frustration potential of delinquent adolescents and normal adolescents. Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Delinquent adolescents (Observation Homes at Bangalore, Mysore, Shimoga and Dharwad cities of Karnataka State) and normal adolescents (Karnatak Public High School, Karnatak College, K E Board School and Basel Mission High School located in Dharwad City of Karnataka State), between August 2005 and September 2007. Methodology: After choosing the Observation Homes the delinquent subjects, those fall within the age group mentioned below, was selected on random method. Even in selecting the normal adolescents the same procedure was followed. The interview method of data collection was used to get more accurate responses by the subjects. Original Research Article British Journal of Education, Society & Behavioural Science, 4(5): 581-591, 2014 582 Sample: We included 321 subjects comprising of delinquent adolescents and normal adolescents. Their age ranged between 14-18 years. Accordingly the scale suitable for this group was used to assess frustration level. In the delinquent adolescents group the male adolescents who had committed offense and conformed cases of offenses under Indian Penal Code (IPC) were selected. The comparison group of adolescents consisted of normal adolescents without having any delinquent background and studying in 8 th grade to II pre-university course. The selected subjects were administered individually with frustration test. After calculating mean and SD for the groups‘t’ analyses were carried out. Results: Out of 321 adolescents, 150 were delinquent adolescents and 171 were normal adolescents. Significant high mean scores (157.17 on global frustration, 40.48 on regression, 39.99 on fixation, 38.53 on resignation, 38.17 on aggression modes of frustration) were found for delinquent adolescents and low mean scores (95.53 on global frustration, 28.36 on regression, 22.89 on fixation, 17.58 on resignation, 26.70 on aggression modes of frustration) for the normal adolescents. ‘t’ analysis revealed significant difference between both the groups and it was found that the delinquent adolescents have high frustration potential. Results related to domicile effect on global frustration revealed that there was no much difference between the rural and the urban delinquent adolescents, the mean scores difference between them were not larger (rural delinquent adolescents 158.52, and urban delinquent adolescents 156.92). ‘t’ analysis revealed non-significant difference between the rural and the urban delinquent adolescents. However, mean scores difference between the rural and the urban normal adolescents were found to be larger (rural normal adolescents 99.26 and urban normal adolescents 91.48). Further, ‘t’ analysis revealed significant higher frustration potential among the rural normal adolescents than the urban normal adolescents. Conclusion: The frustration potential is higher among the delinquent adolescents on global frustration and on different modes than the normal adolescents. Hence psychological counseling in the rehabilitation process should be essential for these adolescents. Irrespective of the domicile, the delinquent adolescents are prone for higher frustration, but among the normal adolescents only the rural adolescents are found to be prone for higher frustration potential.