The Level of Values among People with Behavioral Disorders: Comparison between Juvenile Delinquents and Ordinary Students

Abstract

This descriptive study aimed to identify the level of values among juvenile delinquents with behavioral disorders compared with ordinary persons with behavioral disorders, and its relation with some variables )the type of charge, the type of verdict, the crime repetition, gender, age). The sample consisted of (236) students aged (12-18) years, )116( delinquents, and )120( ordinary person. The standard values level measure which prepared by some researchers was used in this sample where honesty and stability were taken into consideration. The data were statically processed by finding repetitions, percentages, using )t( test and analyzing the unilateral variance. The results indicated that the values level of delinquents was low, and that altruism, tolerance, and independency were the lowest values for them but higher for the ordinary persons while the values of expediency and isolation are higher for delinquents than the ordinary persons. In addition to the significant differences in the values level of those who convicted for more than a year )lowest value(. The results also found that altruism and tolerance values were higher for those who were prisoned more than once. Besides that the values level was lower for the girls.