Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale Research Articles

Indirect self-destructiveness in women with schizophrenia

Background: Many authors emphasise the influence of gender differences on mental health and the course and experience of mental illness, and/or postulate a gendered perspective in mental health research. Research holistically considering indirect selfdestructiveness in women with schizophrenia is hard to find in the international literature; studies have been performed on the sole basis of some discrete manifestations of indirect self-destructiveness. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the indirect self-destructiveness syndrome and its categories in women with schizophrenia. Method: A group of 125 women with paranoid schizophrenia, aged 27–57, were examined by using the Polish version of the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale (CS-DS); for comparison, a group of 175 men with schizophrenia and a sociodemographically well-matched group of 125 healthy women were examined. Results: The intensity of indirect self-destructiveness and most of its categories were found to be greater in the group of women with schizophrenia compared to men with schizophrenia (transgression, poor health maintenance, personal and social neglects) and healthy women (transgression, personal and social neglects, lack of planfulness, helplessness). Nevertheless, women with schizophrenia displayed signs of better psychosocial adjustment than schizophrenic men. Conclusions: Comprehensive therapeutic, i.e. psychiatric, psychological and social, interventions should serve to enhance the “self ” defence and self-care functions, and improve the evaluation of adequacy and efficiency in women with schizophrenia. Working with such patients towards increasing their life satisfaction, although life did not spare them suffering, seems to be equally important in (psycho) therapy. The mobilisation and orientation of their actions towards those in favour of their development and health appear as crucial.

Emotional intelligence, indirect self-destructiveness and gender

Emotional intelligence may beneficially affect human life and psychological and social functioning, whereas indirect self-destructiveness exerts a rather adverse impact thereon. The aim of this study was to synthesise the results of research on possible relationships between emotional intelligence and indirect self-destructiveness, emotional intelligence dimensions and indirect self-destructiveness categories, as well as the gender differentiation of relationships between particular dimensions of emotional intelligence and the categories of indirect self-destructiveness. A population of 260 individuals (130 females and 130 males) aged 20–30 years (mean age of 24.5 years) was assessed using INTE, i.e. the Polish version of the Assessing Emotions Scale (AES) and the Polish version of Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale (CS-DS). The level of emotional intelligence differentiated the intensity of indirect self-destructiveness and vice versa. Emotional intelligence and its factors showed many significant, mainly negative, correlations with indirect self-destructiveness and its categories. Relationships between particular dimensions of emotional intelligence and categories of self-destructiveness differed between women and men. One of the crucial differences was the association between the ability to recognise emotions and transgression. In general, low emotional intelligence can be said to correlate with poor psychological and social functioning, which in turn is associated with indirect self-destructiveness and its categories. It seems advisable to utilise emotional intelligence in the prophylactic and therapeutic work with those suffering from various types of disorders, especially the indirect self-destructiveness syndrome. Knowledge on the differentiation of the said relationships may help properly target prophylactic and therapeutic interventions, adjusting them to a given gender.

Prediction of dark personality traits and self-destruction based on emotion regulation among adolescent females

Background and Aims: Temperament is determined as a relatively constant, basic, and innate position that underlies and modifies the expression of activity, emotionality, and sociability among people. The current study aimed to investigate the prediction of dark personality traits and self-destruction based on emotion regulation among adolescent females. Materials and Methods: This correlational study included 250 adolescent females using a cluster sampling method in the academic year of 2018-19 in Shiraz, Iran. The participants were asked to complete Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Dark Triad Scale, and Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale. Results: The results of the regression analysis showed that emotion regulation with beta coefficients was able to predict significant and positive dark personality traits (0.25), narcissism (0.49), Machiavellianism (0.39), psychopathy (0.32), sadism (0.35), and self-destructiveness (0.49) (P<0.05). Conclusion: Directly targeted interventions to regulate emotion may be useful in addressing risky behaviors of adolescents with self-destructive and dark personality traits.

The psychic readiness for destruction among contemporary adolescents.

To verify the existence of psychic readiness for destruction among adolescent girls and to determine how psychic readiness for destruction is related to suicidal or violent behaviour in adolescence. The psychic readiness for destruction can be treated as a generalised tendency (personality disposition) to behave in a way that increases the probability of negative consequences which directly and indirectly threaten one's life, health and its quality. A retrospective cross-sectional study. The study involved 140 participants, aged 13-17, including 40 girls after suicide attempts (GS group), 40 girls using violence against others (GA group) and 60 girls without destructive behaviour at all (CG group). To measure psychic readiness for destruction, the polish adaptation of the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale (CS-DS) by Kelly was used. No significant differences were found between the GS group and GA group. A significant difference was found between the girls who engage in interpersonal violence (GA) and the control group (CG). In this case, the results showed a significantly higher score among those participants who were involved in extremely aggressive behaviours. A similar trend was also observed when comparing the group of girls who attempted suicide (GS) with the CG. Based on the conducted analyses, a clear trend was observed in consistency of destructive behaviours (tendency for destruction)-both active (seeking to violate norms, risky behaviours) and passive (omission, neglect) among the girls from both groups indicating even a single act of this kind (no significant differences between the groups). Due to the complex nature of readiness for destruction and its negative consequences on health, it is imperative to investigate the risk factors for the tendency for destruction and to conduct health education among adolescents.

Indirect self-destructiveness in individuals with schizophrenia

Objective:To explore the indirect self-destructiveness syndrome in patients with schizophrenia.Methods:Two hundred individuals with paranoid schizophrenia (117 men and 83 women, mean age 37.15 years), all in remission, were examined using the Polish version of the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale. Two hundred well-matched healthy individuals served as a control group.Results:The intensity of indirect self-destructiveness was greater in the schizophrenia group than in controls. The intensity of each manifestation was as follows (in decreasing order): helplessness and passiveness in the face of difficulties (A5), personal and social neglects (A3), lack of planfulness (A4), poor health maintenance (A2), transgression and risk (A1).Conclusion:Patients with schizophrenia displayed more behaviors that were indirectly self-destructive than healthy controls; they scored better than healthy controls only on caring for their own health. The patients showed the lowest intensity of behaviors connected with the active form of indirect self-destructiveness, and the highest intensity of behaviors connected with the passive form. These findings may enable delivery of more effective forms of pharmacological and psychosocial help to patients with schizophrenia.

Transgression and Gender

Human activity is determined to a great extent by not only biological sex but also gender. The aim of the study was to examine relationships between transgression and types of gender. A population of 558 individuals (399 women and 159 men) aged 19–25 (mean age: 22.6) were studied. The age of the women ranged from 19 to 24 (mean age: 22.4) and of the men—from 19 to 25 (mean age: 22.8). In order to examine the intensity of transgression, the Polish version of the chronic self-destructiveness scale was applied. The gender was studied by means of the Polish version of the Bem sex role inventory. Androgynous women achieved the highest and feminine men—the lowest scores on the transgression scale. In women, the masculinity scale positively correlated with the transgression scale, whereas the femininity scale did not significantly correlate with transgression, although the coefficient was negative. No statistically significant correlations were found in men (although the coefficients were positive). Biological sex and gender were qualitative variables that differentiated the intensity of transgression. Equilibrium between the psychological dimension of femininity and the psychological dimension of masculinity was vital for transgressive tendencies, particularly in women. Androgynous women showed rather the adaptive aspect of transgression.

Gender Differentiation of Relationships Between Manifestations of Indirect Self-Destructiveness and Dimensions of Emotional Intelligence

The aim of this study has been to explore the gender differentiation of relationships between individual manifestations of indirect self-destructiveness and particular dimensions of emotional intelligence. A population of 260 individuals (130 women and 130 men) aged 20-30 (mean age of 24.5) was studied by using the Polish version of the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale (CS-DS) and INTE, i.e. the Polish version of the Assessing Emotions Scale (AES). Manifestations of indirect self-destructiveness showed significant correlations with INTE variables, and those correlations were mainly negative. Relationships between specific dimensions of emotional intelligence and specific manifestations of self-destructiveness differed between women and men. One of the most important differences was the relationship between transgression and ability to recognize emotions. The knowledge of the differentiation of the above relationships may allow to orient prophylactic and therapeutic actions, and adjust them to the specific gender.

Manifestations of Indirect Self-Destructiveness and Dimensions of Emotional Intelligence.

While indirect self-destructiveness exerts a rather negative influence on the life and psychological and social functioning of the individual, emotional intelligence may have a favourable effect. The aim of this study has been to explore possible relationships between manifestations of indirect self-destructiveness and dimensions of emotional intelligence. A population of 260 individuals (130 females and 130 males) aged 20–30 (mean age of 24.5) was studied by using the Polish version of the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale and INTE, i.e., the Polish version of the Assessing Emotions Scale. Manifestations of indirect self-destructiveness show many significant correlations with variables of the INTE, and those correlations are negative. Generally, it can be said that low emotional intelligence is associated with poor psychosocial and social functioning, which, in turn, is associated with indirect self-destructiveness and its manifestations. It seems advisable to use emotional intelligence in the prophylactic and therapeutic work with individuals suffering from various types of disorders, especially the syndrome of indirect self-destructiveness.

Indirect Self-Destructiveness and Emotional Intelligence.

While emotional intelligence may have a favourable influence on the life and psychological and social functioning of the individual, indirect self-destructiveness exerts a rather negative influence. The aim of this study has been to explore possible relations between indirect self-destructiveness and emotional intelligence. A population of 260 individuals (130 females and 130 males) aged 20–30 (mean age of 24.5) was studied by using the Polish version of the chronic self-destructiveness scale and INTE, i.e., the Polish version of the assessing emotions scale. Indirect self-destructiveness has significant correlations with all variables of INTE (overall score, factor I, factor II), and these correlations are negative. The intensity of indirect self-destructiveness differentiates significantly the height of the emotional intelligence and vice versa: the height of the emotional intelligence differentiates significantly the intensity of indirect self-destructiveness. Indirect self-destructiveness has negative correlations with emotional intelligence as well as its components: the ability to recognize emotions and the ability to utilize emotions. The height of emotional intelligence differentiates the intensity of indirect self-destructiveness, and vice versa: the intensity of indirect self-destructiveness differentiates the height of emotional intelligence. It seems advisable to use emotional intelligence in the prophylactic and therapeutic work with persons with various types of disorders, especially with the syndrome of indirect self-destructiveness.

Psychopathological Predictors of Indirect Self-Destructiveness in Patients with Schizophrenia.

Behaviours causing harm to the individual are generally called self-destructive behaviours. For some time now, direct/acute self-destructiveness has been distinguished from indirect/chronic self-destructiveness. Indirectly self-destructive behaviours occur not only in healthy people (examined in most of the studies) but also in mentally ill individuals, which has not been researched. The aim of this study has been to explore psychopathological (clinical) predictors of indirect self-destructiveness in patients with schizophrenia. Research was conducted among 200 patients suffering from paranoid schizophrenia (Sc) (according to ICD-10); average age: 37.15 (27–58) years. To assess indirect self-destructiveness, the Polish version of the “Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale” was applied, whereas, to examine psychopathological characteristics, the Polish version of the “Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2” was used. The correlation-regression procedure was followed. There were many statistically significant correlations, among which the strongest association occurred between indirect self-destructiveness and Sc and paranoia (Pa) scales (0.522 and 0.435 respectively). Significant predictors were found to be schizophrenia (Sc; R: 0.545; β: 0.412), lack of ego mastery, conative (Sc2b; R: 0.633; β: 0.632), and persecutory ideas (Pa1; R: 0.506; β: 0.335). schizophrenic disorders were a predictor explaining the indirect self-destructiveness syndrome in the patients. That aspect of psycho(patho)logical functioning, i.e. indirect self-destructiveness, which is strongly associated with schizophrenic and paranoid symptoms/disorders, should be considered in therapeutic work as well.

Zasoby odpornościowe i czynniki ryzyka a używanie alkoholu i marihuany w okresie wczesnej dorosłości

IntroductionThe aim of the study was an attempt at defining the risk factors and immunity resources allowing prediction of the use and abuse of alcohol and marijuana in early adulthood. Temperament and character traits, anxiety levels, self-destructive tendencies and style of coping with stress were examined. MethodThe research sample included 166 secondary school students aged 18–20 years defined by targeted selection. The following questionnaires were used: AUDIT, Spielberger et al.’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Kelley et al.’s Chronic Self-destructiveness Scale, Endler and Parker's Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations and Cloninger et al.’s Temperament and Character Inventory. ResultsA relationship was demonstrated between temperament and character traits, style of coping with stress, self-destructive tendencies and marijuana/alcohol use (p<0.05). Temperament and character traits included exploratory excitability, disorderliness, sentimentality, bad habits, vindictiveness and advantage of personal benefits. Among stress-coping styles, important significance was ascribed to emotion-oriented strategy. No significant relationship was found between psychoactive substance use and declared anxiety level. ConclusionsAlcohol and marijuana users significantly differ from abstainers as regards temperament and character traits, manifested, e.g. by a higher degree of exploratory excitability, unconventionality, lower tolerance to monotony, poorer discipline and control in frustrating situations. As regards stress-coping styles – marijuana and alcohol users are worse at coping with frustration, and they tend to focus attention on themselves and their emotional problems. The investigation on the severity of self-destructive tendencies showed that psychoactive substance users have a tendency to initiate intentional suffering and failures, give in to temptation easily and show addictive tendencies.

Drug Addiction and Manifestations of Indirect Self- Destructiveness

Use and particularly abuse of psychoactive substances is considered a typical form of self-destructive behaviour; addiction itself, meanwhile is regarded as one of the forms of self-destructiveness. Indirect self-destructiveness is considered behaviour whose negative consequences are mediated by additional factors, while the relationship between the behaviour and harm is considered probable. Indirect self-destructiveness understood in that way includes not only undertaking but also abandoning acts; that is related to engaging in dangerous and aggravated risk situations, or neglecting one's health and safety. The aim of this work was to explore the indirect self-destructiveness syndrome in a treatment population of drug addicts. The Polish version of the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale (CS-DS) was administered among 172 patients (116 males and 56 females) in drug addiction treatment centres. Results show that self-destructiveness as a generalised behavioural tendency, as well as its more specific manifestations, score within the upper range of the average. Increasing scores by CS-DS subscales were obtained in the following order: Helplessness and Passiveness, Nicotine, Lack of Planfulness, Alcohol, Transgression, Psychoactive Substances, Personal and Social Neglects and Poor Health Maintenance. It can be assumed that nicotine, a legal psychoactive substance, acts as a substitute. While a one-factor solution resulted from factor analysis for healthy people, the patient sample was best described by a two-factor solution (I: Risky Health Neglects, II: Helplessness). The intensity of the indirect self-destructiveness syndrome in individuals treated because of drug addiction was situated close to the upper limit of average results. The highest scores for subscales were related to Helplessness and Passiveness as well as Nicotine, and the lowest to Poor Health Maintenance. The index of Psychoactive Substances turned out to be low.

Differentiation of indirect self-destructiveness due to sex (gender) in individuals after suicide attempts.

The aim of this study was to examine the sex (gender) differentiation of indirect self-destructiveness as a generalised behavioural tendency and its manifestations in individuals who attempted suicides. 147 individuals (114 females and 33 males) after suicide attempts were studied; the reference group consisted of 558 individuals (399 females and 159 males). Indirect self-destructiveness was examined by means of the Polish version of the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale (CS-DS) including Transgression and Risk (A1), Poor Health Maintenance (A2), Personal and Social Neglects (A3), Lack of Planfulness (A4) and Helplessness, Passiveness in the Face of Problems/Difficulties (A5). Sex (gender) and suicide attempt significantly differentiate scores of the subjects on all indices/scales of indirect self-destructiveness. Scores of individuals after suicide attempts are considerably higher on almost all scales. In that group, significant differences between females and males occurred on the A2-Poor Health Maintenance, A3-Personal and Social Neglects, A4-Lack of Planfulness and A5-Helplessness scales. It was only on the A2-Poor Health Maintenance scale that females achieved higher scores. The intensity of indirect self-destructiveness in females who attempted suicides achieved the level observed in males who attempted suicides. Poor health maintenance was also more intense in them than in the group of males. Males after suicide attempts displayed the lowest poor health maintenance. Results of this study may have preventive and therapeutic implications.

Indirect self-destructiveness in homosexual individuals.

The aim of this study was to comprehensively examine the syndrome of indirect self-destructiveness in homosexual individuals. 156 homosexual individuals (111 males, 45 females) aged 25-35 (mean age of 29.6) and 561 heterosexual individuals (400 males, 161 females) aged 24-36 (mean age of 28.2) were studied with regard to indirect self-destructiveness. The research instrument was the Polish version of the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale (CS-DS) including: Transgression and Risk (A1), Poor Health Maintenance (A2), Personal and Social Neglects (A3), Lack of Planfulness (A4) and Helplessness and Passiveness in the face of problems (A5). Homosexual individuals obtained significantly higher scores than heterosexual ones in numerous scales: Indirect Self-Destructiveness - global (general) index (p<0.001), A1-Transgression and Risk (p<0.001), A4-Lack of Planfulness (p<0.001) and A5-Helplessness, Passiveness (p=0.04) There were no significant differences in the Poor Health Maintenance scale (A2). They also achieved significantly higher scores in the subscales assessing using of psychoactive substances. Factor analysis revealed the presence of only one factor both in the group of homosexual and heterosexual individuals. The research results indicate that, as compared with the group of heterosexual individuals, in the group of homosexuals there occurs a worsening in psychological functioning, which may be also manifested by an increased indirect self-destructiveness index. The increased intensity of indirect self-destructiveness in homosexual individuals may be considered a manifestation of worsened psychological functioning. The homosexual individuals look after their health similarly to heterosexuals.

Gender Differentiation in Indirect Self-Destructiveness and Suicide Attempt Methods (Gender, Indirect Self-Destructiveness, and Suicide Attempts)

The objective of this study is to examine the gender (sex) differentiation of indirect self-destructiveness and its manifestations as well as its relationships with suicide attempt methods in females and males. The study was conducted among 147 persons (114 females, 33 males) who attempted suicide. The research instrument was the polish version of the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale including Transgression and Risk, Poor Health Maintenance, Personal and Social Neglects, Lack of Planfulness, and Helplessness and Passiveness in the face of problems. Differences testing and correlation analyses were applied. Females scored higher on poor health maintenance and males scored significantly higher on personal and social neglects, lack of planfulness, and helplessness. Noteworthy is that the intensity of indirect self-destructiveness in females reached the same magnitude as in males. A number of statistically significant correlations were found between indirect self-destructiveness, or its manifestations, and the methods of suicide attempt in the two groups. Among these categories, the highest contribution was of helplessness and passiveness (both of groups), poor health maintenance (males), and personal and social neglects (females). Results of this study can be useful in the therapeutic efforts and prevention of not only indirectly self-destructive behaviours but also possible suicide attempts. Both preventive and therapeutic activities can take into account the specificity of those phenomena resulting from one’s sex/gender. It is important to adapt preventive and therapeutic measures to psychological (personal) features that arise from an individual’s sex/gender.

Gender differentiation of indirect self-destructiveness

The objective of this study was to examine the sex (gender) differentiation of indirect self-destructiveness intensity and its manifestations, as well as relationships between indirect self-destructiveness and its manifestations (categories) and the psychological dimensions of masculinity and femininity, also from the point of view of assessing occupational health and safety. A population of 558 individuals (399 females and 159 males) aged 19-25 (mean age: 22.6) was studied. The Polish version of the "Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale" (CS-DS) by Kelley adapted by Suchańska was used in order to examine indirect self-destructiveness and its manifestations. Gender testing applied the Polish version of the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) by Bem in its adaptation by Kuczyńska. Males' scores are significantly higher than those of females for the majority of CS-DS scales/indices: Indirect Self-Destructiveness (general index), Poor Health Maintenance (A2), Lack of Planfulness (A4), and Helplessness, Passiveness (A5). Moreover, there are statistically significant correlations between CS-DS scales and the masculinity dimension (positive) as well as the femininity dimension (negative). Masculinity is a factor that may predispose towards indirectly self-destructive behaviors, while femininity is a factor protecting against those. The study results may prove useful in preventing indirectly and directly self-destructive behaviors as well as in therapy work with the individuals who display such tendencies or have made attempts on their own lives, in particular taking into account their being of a specific sex/gender and in the context of work (especially in difficult or dangerous conditions or both).

Manifestations of Indirect Self-destructiveness and Methods of Suicide Attempts

The method of suicide attempt is related to motivational processes and the psycho(patho)logical mechanisms and traits of an individual. Indirect self-destructiveness is related to direct self-destructiveness. It is presumed that it can transform to the latter thus leading to suicide attempts or death by suicide. The study objective was to examine the relationship between individual manifestations of indirect self-destructiveness and the methods of suicide attempt as well as to explore the indirect predictors of particular suicide methods. The study was conducted among 147 persons (114 females, 33 males) who attempted suicide. The research instrument was the Polish version of the “Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale” (CS-DS), including Transgression and Risk, Poor Health Maintenance, Personal and Social Neglects, Lack of Planfulness, and Helplessness and Passiveness in the face of problems. Correlation and regression analyses were applied. A number of statistically significant correlations were found between indirect self-destructiveness, or its manifestations, and the methods of suicide attempt. Moreover, the particular categories of indirect self-destructive behaviour were found to largely determine the choice of the method of suicide attempt. Among these categories, the strongest predictor appeared to be Helplessness and Passiveness in the face of problems. The method of suicide attempt is a variable related to psychosocial determinants of suicidal behaviour. The findings of this study may prove useful in the design and implementation of therapeutic activities focused on persons who attempted suicide. Recognising the particular manifestations of indirect self-destructive behaviours of an attempter can guide implementation of therapeutic measures, for him/her e.g. via strengthening coping skills and eliminating risk factors for self-harm.

Indirect (chronic) self-destructiveness and modes of suicide attempts

IntroductionSuicides and suicide attempts may be considered as manifestations not only of direct self-destructiveness, but also of indirect (chronic) self-destructiveness. The aim of this work is to assess the relation between intensity of indirect self-destructiveness and suicide attempt modes.Material and methodsThe research was conducted among 147 persons after suicide attempts (114 women and 33 men) aged 14-33 years. The Polish version of the “Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale” by Kelley (CS-DS) in Suchańska's adaptation was used.ResultsExamined persons applied several modes of committing suicide: pharmacological drugs, exsanguination, hanging, jumping from a height, asphyxia, poisoning, and throwing oneself under a moving car. The most frequent are pharmacological drugs (42.31%) and exsanguination (25.60%); the rarest is throwing oneself under a car (1.28%). Relations between indirect self-destructiveness and the following suicide attempt modes were found: pharmacological drugs (0.366, p = 0.00001), poisoning (0.667, p = 0.01), and throwing oneself under a car (0.542, p = 0.04). There were found three clusters regarding the intensity of indirect self-destructiveness (low, medium and high). The largest differences concerned hanging, jumping from a height (medium CS-DS), poisoning and throwing oneself under a car (high CS-DS). There is a relation between indirect self-destructiveness and recurrence of suicide attempts (Kendall Tau = 0.217, p = 0.007); the intensity of indirect self-destructiveness differentiates the risk of consecutive suicide attempts (F = 2.871, p = 0.05).ConclusionsThe implications of the findings are mainly of preventive and therapeutic nature. In the preventative aspect, the subject of interest should be not only persons with a tendency to the active form of indirect self-destructiveness, but also persons exhibiting its passive form.

Chronic Self-Destructiveness, Hopelessness, and Risk-Taking in College Students

The relationship of chronic self-destructiveness and hopelessness to risk-taking behaviors was examined. College undergraduates (131 men, 114 women) completed the Beck Hopelessness Scale (Hopelessness), Chronic Self-destructiveness Scale (Self-destructiveness), and Expected Involvement Scale (Involvement) of the Cognitive Appraisal of Risky Activities questionnaire. For both men and women, there were significant positive correlations between Self-destructiveness and Hopelessness scores. In men, there also were positive relationships between Self-destructiveness scores and Involvement in specific risky activities in the next 6 mo. These included illicit drug use, aggressive or illegal behaviors, risky sexual behaviors, heavy drinking, and irresponsible academic or work behaviors. In women, Self-destructiveness scores had a positive relationship with expected Involvement in heavy drinking and irresponsible academic or work behaviors. The only correlation between Hopelessness and Involvement scores for men was a negative one with expected participation in high risk sports. There were no significant correlations between Hopelessness and Involvement scores for women.

Factor Analyses of the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale Among Delinquent and Non-Delinquent Adolescent Males

ABSTRACT The Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale (CSDS) was administered to 80 putativcly non-delinquent male high school students and to 101 delinquent males, revealing high internal consistency reliability for both groups. CSDS responses were factor analyzed independently, and separate three-dimensional oblique structures were found for each group. A major factor underlying the self-destructiveness of both groups involves alcohol use and other related risky behavior. For the high school males, two factors which distinguish between Active Responsibility and Passive Avoidance of duties also underlie their CSDS responses. The structure underlying self-destructiveness in delinquent males does not distinguish between active and passive forms of irresponsible behavior. An independent, ‘acting-out’ factor, which did not emerge for the normative sample, was interpreted for the delinquents. Interestingly, just as male delinquents may not distinguish between active and passive forms of neglecting responsibilities, their high school counterparts may not distinguish between active and passive engagement in risky behavior. Juvenile delinquency intervention strategies are suggested.