The aim of this research was to analyze the social adjustment (prosocial and antisocial behaviors) of 86 young offenders -between 13 and 21 years of age- attending a correctional school of a socioeducative institute in Córdoba, Argentina. A descriptive/correlational design was used for the analysis. The results show that young offenders have -with regard to the variables measuring prosocial behavior- low levels of empathy and respect and high levels of sociability and leadership. What concerns antisocial behavior, the levels reached for aggression, withdrawal and isolation are high. On the other hand, the collective perception in school of a prosocial atmosphere is low. The correlational analysis indicates significant relationships between prosocial behavior of young offenders, their perception of prosocial behavior among peers in the classroom, and the school prosocial atmosphere. This means that young offenders, who perceive a higher prosocial atmosphere in school, should be more prosocial and vice versa. Therefore, it is considered that the implementation of educational programs design to promote an improvement in the prosocial atmosphere of the classroom, could also contribute to strengthen prosocial behavior in young offenders attending school, thus achieving a better adjustment to their social environment.
Keywords:
social adjustment, young offenders, delinquency, school
Lorenzino, L. R., Rivera-Betancourt, L. I., & Cardozo, G. (2015). Social Adjustment in Prosecuted Young Offenders Involved in School Activities. Revista De Psicología, 24(2). https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-0581.2015.37507
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